Rental Application

This afternoon, we filled out and turned in our rental application to the apartment complex we want to move to.  We asked to see the two bedroom/1 bath apartment that we want.  We already saw it back in August or so but wanted to see it again.  When we got back, we filled out the application right there in the lobby of the rental office. 

We've got a tooth...finally!

Kyle has lost several teeth over the last year or so.  We finally have one of his teeth!  His bottom tooth has been loose for days now.  Over the weekend, his daddy and I showed him what to do with the tooth after it pops out.  We showed him that he should put it in mommy's hand.  We demonstrated that when the tooth comes out, he puts it in my palm.

Tonight, he was playing with his loose tooth and he pulled me to the bathroom and pulled it out and put it in my palm.  We now have a tooth from Kyle!!!! 

Started looking for apartments

I started looking for apartments online.  We're not sure if we want to stay in the area so that Kyle would remain a student as his current school since the entire staff and parents know of his special needs.  That would be ideal.  But also, we want to find a place that we could afford to live at. 

I also realized that I want to live in an apartment complex that offers a gym!  That would be ideal too.  I love the idea of having the opportunity to go to the gym to workout whenever I wanted, especially while Kyle is at school.  It would give me options, besides working out at home. 

Also, we want an apartment with a washer and dryer or hook ups in the apartment.  It's for convenience.  We are also considering location.  We want a place that has a grocery store or drug store nearby.

I hope we can start visiting a few places soon.  Shannon is aware that we need to give a 60 day notice before we move out. 

Blog issues resolved?

For the last month or so, I have been having issues with my other blog, Beauty Brite.  Beauty Brite is all about product/book reviews, giveaways and more!  It has also become my "full time job/hobby."  I love it.  It has also helped me earn money here and there.  Over a year ago, I switched to self-hosted wordpress, which means I own my blog and my content.  When I was "hosted" with blogger, I saw it as "unsafe" because blogger had the ability to delete my blog without warning or without notice for any reason they wanted.  I wanted to protect all of my hard work and my writing by switching to wordpress.  I also pay for my own hosting. 

Anyway, in late January/early February, I started having issues with posting and editing content.  I was unable to post new posts and edit current posts or pages.  You can read about it here.  After getting it fixed, it started happening again.  It would happen after I logged on to my blog from one computer and then log on from another computer.  Anyway, I found out about a security plugin to install and every since I installed it, I no longer have an issue.  With the plugin, I was able to run a scan and then whatever issues they found, I was able to "remove" the threat!  I am so glad my blog seems to be working again with no issues. 

Feeling better but...

I have been feeling better, however, I am still dizzy here and there.  My appetite is there but the most I can handle is yogurt, cereal and Italian Frozen Ice.  I want to eat much more but I don't think my stomach could handle it.  I have been able to eat my homemade "sausage egg McMuffin" sandwich that I make. 

I do feel a little nauseous but not as bad as before.  The nausea comes with the dizziness.

Roughly 36 hours

For about 36 hours, I was feeling very dizzy and nauseous.  Yesterday, I pretty much threw up everything in my stomach (even water), including stomach acid. 

Every time I stood up, or moved just the slightest, I would feel dizzy and almost feel like blacking out.  I also felt light-headed.  Every movement hurt.  I felt like I had very little balance because when I stood up to walk, I would waver a bit.  It was like trying to walk on a trampoline when someone was jumping on it or walking on an unsteady boat. 

Thankfully, during this time, Shannon was off of work.  The whole time I wasn't feeling well, I was hoping I would feel better before Friday, when he would have to return to work.  It is Thursday morning and I am feeling better.  Last night, Shannon brought home some Italian frozen ice dessert cups.  I had two of them last night. 

While I wasn't feeling well, Shannon really stepped up and helped get Kyle ready for school yesterday and took him to the bus stop.  He even met him at the bus stop after school. 

I am still not sure why I was feeling sick and dizzy. 

Shannon got called in to work tonight.  He came in to the bedroom around 12:40am saying they want him to come in to work.  I told him I was feeling better.  He is working until 7am.  I am feeling well enough to get Kyle off to school today.  I've been up since 12:40am or so.  Catching up on emails, blogging and making a list of what I need to do today. 

Also, Shannon received some good news at work.  He said that any time he is working (even if he's called in) he will be getting his normal rate of pay!  Next week, they are wanting him to work at least 40 hours, maybe more! 

Rent is going up again!

We just received another notice reminding us that our lease is up at the end of May (26th)!  They are letting us know that our rent will go up to $673!!!  Shannon is finally sick of the way they are raising our rent.  We are in a very small two bedroom apartment (928 sq ft).  We rent the washer and dryer and they are stackable.  I have to plug the washer into the kitchen faucet just to use it.  It is a hassle but I'd rather have that then have to go to the laundry room on property. 

Shannon wants to move (finally) because of the rent being raised.  I have been telling him this for several months now.  He finally sees how much our rent is going up now that he's working and having to manage the money that is coming in. 

Two Front Teeth

Kyle is missing his two front teeth.  He lost one tooth last week or so and the second tooth earlier this week.  He's already lost a handful of teeth and each time we think he swallows them because we never find them afterwards. 

We're just glad the missing teeth don't bother him. 

Valentine's Day Cards

Today, I went to Walgreens to pick up a few things for Kyle's Valentine's Day "party" at school.  They asked for Valentine's Day cards, snacks and two bags of candy.  Last year, I didn't get Valentine's Day cards for Kyle's class.  This year, I realized that the kids deserve to receive a card!  Kyle's class only has 8 students (including him).  Since Valentine's Day cards comes in packs of 32, I made a card for each of the students, plus his three teachers!  I will be saving the rest of the cards for next year. 

I wanted to get more goodies for the kids, but with such short notice, I decided to stick with what I already bought at Walgreens.

Shannon and I went to Walmart this afternoon for groceries.  Kyle also needed new socks, I just hope they aren't too big for him.  The medium size looked too small for his feet, so I bought the large size. 

Shannon got called in to work tonight!  He has to work from 10pm until 6am.  The extra hours are needed!

First week with just one job

This is the first week that Shannon has without Best Buy!  Which means, he is home more.  He has his guaranteed two shifts on Friday and Saturday night (graveyard) and that's it.  He is on the list to be called when someone calls in sick.  He was called to work this evening 3pm - 11pm.  Every shift helps.  They usually call him first because they know he says yes to just about every available shift there is! 

I don't want to start couponing/saving money at Walgreens until Shannon finds another part time job or gets hired on full time with his current employer. 

He said he emailed his resume in to the person who is responsible for hiring within the company.  The company is looking to hire new supervisors and managers.  Let's hope they will consider him for any full time supervisor or manager positions! 

Shannon is also looking for any free courses he can take to get "certified" in.  He said the state has a lot of free courses he can take in safety, OSHA, and management.  He is signed up to take a management course through the state in March.  It is a week long course in a nearby city.  He's looking to "beef" up his resume to certifications to add to his Bachelor's Degree that he already has. 

Homemade Chai Tea

I just made a batch of Chai Tea!  I tried making the same recipe about a year and a half ago and back then, it didn't taste right to me.

I've been craving chai tea and I don't like buying the liquid chai tea that you add milk to.  That kind is too sweet to me and gives me headaches.  Plus, I use a lot of soy milk that way.  I even tried looking for chai tea mix online but we don't have the money to be buying extra things like that.

I tried looking online for the chai tea recipe and found one.  Based on the comments, people love it.  Then I looked in my computer files and found that I still had the recipe saved.  Based on the comments, they use less sugar or substitute Splenda and use less.

Here is the recipe:

Chai Tea Mix

Ingredients

1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup French Vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
1 ½ cups Splenda or white sugar (original recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of white sugar)
1 ½ cups unsweetened instant tea
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon nutmeg - optional

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup at a time, until mixture is the consistency of fine powder.  Store in a cool, dry place, in an airtight container.

2. To serve: Stir 2 heaping tablespoons Chai Tea mixture into a mug of 6-8oz  hot water.

Also, this time around, I have a new blender to blend the mix to a fine power!  After I mixed the ingredients, I used our Ninja blender!

As I type this, I am on my second cup!  It is so delicious!  Also, I was out of  unsweetened instant tea and I saw a person comment saying that they used a tea bag.  They added the chai tea mix and a tea bag to their cup.  I did just that.  I have green tea, so I added the mix and tea bag and stir!  Yummy! 

Last Day of Work

Today is Shannon's last day of work at Best Buy!  His last day is actually February 10th, but he is not scheduled for the next few days so this is his last day of work! 

Sickness lingers

I sent Kyle to school today and they ended up calling around 10:30am saying he is throwing up.  So we went to pick him up.  The social worker was in the classroom (I think she is there to observe) and it sounds like she's in his classroom often.  She suggested that if he is still stick to keep him home the rest of the week.  She asked about medicine and I told her that he won't take any...  liquid, pills, powers, etc.  He will not take medicine.  Unless it comes in a tablet that disolves or a gummy form, he will NOT take it. 

Back to school...again

I sent Kyle to school today since he looked well enough to make it through the day.  He seemed like his happy self this morning.  He is still coughing but I didn't want him to miss too much school.

I was feeling much better too.  I haven't missed any workouts either, so I am happy about that. 

Shannon is feeling what I was feeling a few days ago.  His body is feeling achy and tingly!  I hope his isn't as bad as ours!  He got the flu shot, so I didn't expect he would catch the flu from Kyle and I. 

Love Framed

For the last few months, I have been obsessed with Alphabet Framed Art.  Essentially, it is pictures of nature, objects, etc that are in the shape of letters.  There are several websites that sell "alphabet framed art" however, they are a little pricey for me.  The picture above is one I made myself.

I bought a CD and access to a website from someone [on ebay] who took the pictures.  I made the LOVE framed art pictured above!  On another website, something like that would have cost me $40 plus shipping.  I bought the CD and access to the website for $20.  With the CD and website access, I can make many more framed art!

I bought the frame at Walmart and had the pictures developed at Walmart and had them shipped to me.  I also bought glue dots (that are use for crafts and scrapbooking). 

I plan on making many more, that's if I can find more frames that are long enough.  The one above was just barely long enough.  The frame is the most expensive part of this project. 

Now I'm sick

Last night, I noticed I had a tickle in my throat.  I woke up achy and sore all over.  I have had a sore throat all day.  I am also coughing.  The occasional sneeze too.

We kept Kyle home today and it looks like we're keeping him home tomorrow. 

Still sick or sick again...

Kyle is still sick or sick again.  He pretty much stayed in bed all day today.  His daddy came home around 7:30am or so because he worked the graveyard shift.  Shannon stayed up with us until about 9am-9:30am.  Kyle went to lay down with him and ended up staying in bed/sleeping the entire time.  Kyle was coughing throughout the day.  He won't drink water or take medicine.

Since Kyle was sick in bed, I was able to get a lot accomplished.  I was able to post several reviews and do two loads of laundry. 

I hope he's better by Monday morning because I would hate for him to miss more school.

Blog is working again!

My main blog, Beauty Brite was not allowing me to post or edit posts and pages.  Essentially, I was unable to update my blog.  I couldn't post reviews, giveaways, paid/sponsored posts, etc.  In January, I earned $260 in sponsored posts on my blog, it may be more that from other sites that I haven't reached payout yet. 

My blog was down from Wednesday mid-morning (I was able to post early in the morning) until Friday early afternoon.  I called my hosting company yesterday and today and finally had them walk me through how to restore my blog.  I ended up restoring my blog from January 2, 2013.  After the restore, I was able to post again and everything seemed to be working.  As I was updating plugins, I realized my blog was back to not letting me post.  I realized it was the plugins, so I had to remove each one to see which one was causing the issues. 

My blog is back and fully functioning! 

Thankfully, I did not miss out on two more paid posts.  One was due tomorrow and will earn me $15.  I just wrote another one tonight that will earn me over $20. 

While my site was "down" I typed up my reviews in WORD so they were ready to paste on to my blog.