Check this out!

So, lately as some of you know, I have been pretty into couponing & saving money

Thanks to "The Krazy Coupon Lady" I found a cool deal that I thought was worth sharing!

You can get a FREE (Plus S&H) 8x10 picture canvas

OR

$50 dollars off a bigger size canvas!

Check it out here

Note: Shipping is $14.95 (but that is STILL a good deal) 

Normally retail price would be $65!

**I think this would be a perfect gift!**

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lastly, who watched the premiere of America's Got Talent?

If you missed it, here is the amazing Parrot performance.

Yes, um. I did say "parrot"

It was crazy, insanely cool :)
This is the smartest animal I have ever seen! 

-His owner raised & bred him 

-He is TWENTY-ONE years old
-His name is Danny!

-He can make all different kinds of animal noises

-He can identify the animal noises that you make & actually tell you what they are! 

how dang cool is that?

P.S...I have some really cool news

that I will post about tomorrow!

xoxo

-erinj0

Bachelorette and Boyfriend Madness

I have some funny stories to share with you all

AND

I need your thoughts on a something as well :) 

(My boyfriend and I are in this heated debate & so I decided ask you all!)

 ♥ photo credit

Okay so first things first - graduation party

This Sunday was my cousins high school graduation party. 

My mom and the boy decided to get together and talk about all the "stupid" things that I do and vent to each other about how awful it is that I am such an indecisive person 

(okay, I admit...it can be pretty, really bad)

Here's one of their examples about me:

[Erin] Mom, which one do you like. The red shirt or the blue?

[Mom] I don't know, they both like nice! Either one would look good on you

[Erin] ...But if you HAD to pick, which one?

[Mom] If I HAD to pick...okay the blue

[Erin] The blue one? Really? You really think the blue one is better?!

[Mom] Okay, the red one then!

[Erin] ...Excuse me, miss! (at this point I am calling over a random person just minding their own business in the store to come over and give their opinion)...which one do you like...the red shirt or the blue?

[Random Person] Oh, well... I like the blue one. But they are both really nice

[Erin] Really. okay thank you!

[Mom] Okay - the blue ones the winner then?

[Erin] Eh, I think I like Red...

**This is embarrassing admitting but it is SO true. I am the WORST at making decisions!**

So, I guess they have a right to complain a little. After all...they are the two people who are with my non-stop :) I am so thankful they put up with me like they do!

Now for a funny story. Here is where I got back at my man!
(The best part, right?!)

I was sitting at the kitchen table and eating some Cheetos's. 

The kitchen table is sitting right underneath a ceiling fan.

As I start to grab the Cheetos's, my lovely boyfriend decides to "warn me"...

Um, hun - just so you know, those Cheetos are getting a little stale

-------------------

I look at him with a puzzled look in my face, like what the hell are you talking about?!

He repeats..."yeah, they are getting kind of stale. The fan is drying them out"

****Note: The Cheetos have only been opened and hour and a half ago**** 

WHAT?!?!?!?!? 

I am cracking up right now - you have no idea. TEARS are pouring down my face and I cannot control the laughter. He is busted. What a perfect time to embarrass him infront of people :) It was great!

------------------------------------------------------------

Next: Here is where I need YOUR HELP!

Here is the question that my boy & I are arguing over

Girls: Would you rather get a massage from a female masseuse or a male masseuse?

I told him that most all girl request to have a massage done by a female. He is convinced that I am just not the typical female, because I am wrong & girls want a male masseuse working on them

I think that is awkward - am I right? or is he correct & I am just abnormal? : /

Lastly - The Bachelorette was on tonight :) Episode 2 Recap/Thoughts

♥ photo credit

{1} William got the first one-on-one date! He is too adorable and I love him

The only "odd" part was the beginning of their date. They looked at rings & had a fake marriage.

Weird.

{2} I can't stand Ashley's laugh. I understand it's probably a "nervous laugh", but man it drives me nuts! I hope it doesn't ruin the show for me : /

{3} The crazy mask man STILL hasn't taken off his mask. PLUS he got a rose? Something is wrong with that picture. How bad would you feel if the mask man got a rose over you. I feel bad for the men that went home tonight, knowing that crazy phantom man beat them. Ugh.

{4} Bentley is a fake. He needs to go. The producers just want him for the hype & ratings

{5} I think JP is just the cutest guy & he reminds me of Heath Ledger. ♥

I hope everyone had a great memorial day

I am so honored and thankful for those who serve our country

xoxo

-erinj0

Simply Stated Saturday

I was going to blog a little on the frustrations I have been having with blogger lately, but just as ironically enough, just when I was about to post about it...everything is fixed! So this post tells of some other personal frustrations I've been having lately...

(for warning - if you don't want to read my "personal vent session" than ignore what's in between the pink lines!)

::But first::

How am I spending my Saturday night?

My boys and I are just enjoying a lazy Saturday - hitting the sack early, sipping on some herbal tea, listening to the late night birds chirp, and watching good ol' Gilmore Girls :)

-----------------------------------------------------

There's been a couple other frustrations that I've been dealing with.
Sometimes having a chronic illness, especially an invisible illness can make you (the sufferer) second guess yourself sometimes. People who suffer from invisible illnesses can be misunderstood a lot of the time because they appear healthy on the outside...
To my readers, I may sound like a normal twenty-two year old girl.
I can hide behind the words and you can't see the struggles that I go through everyday. 

♥ photo credit
Here's the thing.
I have my appointment with my new neurologist this Thursday, and I have been busy gathering all of my records from other doctors and MRI's, CT's, blood work, you name it.
I have waited since JANUARY to see this autonomic neurologist.
Somehow, I put this feeling in my head of "will he understand?" & "do I really need to go?"
I felt for awhile that I was having quite a few good days, that I didn't deserve to see him.
I was thinking to myself that I am healthy (while I knew that I wasn't) -
But, people always tell me "you look so good!" or you must be feeling better, etc...
I am so used to putting up this false-self/allowing people to think that I feel okay, when in reality, I feel like absolute hell on the inside.
As weird as it sounds...I just needed to feel self-validated

I haven't checked my vitals in quite some time
(I got sick of my BP machine & Heart Rate Watch)

Here were my results: Left(resting) Right(standing)

Sometimes my numbers are very high and sometimes low
- (This gave me the validation I needed) -
I hope he can help :) I'm hopefully optimistic

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

*******
Here is a quote for the day that I love...

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it.
-- Mother Teresa

♥photo credit

xoxo

-erinj0

erinj0's friday favorites!

After seeing so many creative blogging idea's, I decided to start "friday favorites" and blog about my favorite things of the week :)

Grab the button & link up ♥

<center><a href="http://erinj0.blogspot.com/<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"></span>"><img border="0" src="http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af106/erinjo0260/fridayfavorites.jpg"/></a></center> 

Here are a list of my five friday favorites that I am loving this week!

{1}

I absolutely LOVE "Sparkling ICE Orange Mango Water" (with electrolytes & vitamins/minerals) - As a POTSy, we need a lot of water a day & smart water can get old after awhile.
This stuff is great & I would highly recommend it :)

{2}

 Every night I have been re-watching the seasons of "Gilmore Girls!"
I could watch this show over & over again and never get sick of it :)

{3}

I just bought this new "organizer" from hobby lobby (50% off!)
When I walk in my apartment, I always place my keys, sunglasses, etc... in random spots, forget where I put them, which then causes me to be late! This helps me keep everything is one spot - plus it looks really cute, too!!!

{4}

I am really passionate about using all-natural cosmetic products! "Yes To Carrots" is one of my favorite lotions that are paraben-free and 98% all-natural. It keeps your skin feeling so soft and really works it you have dry skin! They have so many other products like lip balm, shampoo, body wash & more!

{5}

Greek Yogurt! This "Athenos Greek Yogurt" has 0g of fat and has honey dipping sauce on the side that gives it a sweet, rich flavor! This is a snack I bring to class with me -- plus it's usually only around $1.00 a package :) Tasty & affordable...double bonus!


What are YOUR friday favorites?

xoxo
-erinj0

History is revealed

Today IS the day 

♥

I waited patiently (okay it was FAR from patiently) for the mail, staring at the clock in my mom's living room, with each minute passing by, feeling like an eternity. 

Finally, at 11:10am, I spotted the mailman walking towards the house. 

(Note that since last Friday I have anticipating these envelope, hoping it would come!)

I saw that manila envelope in his hand! I knew it was it, I just knew it. I got up out off the couch faster than you could say scream "AH!" : )

Our family history on my grandpa's side - the adoption information from 1921 is here! 

Drum roll please......

.My nationality.

English

Irish

&

German

(My grandfathers mom was 100% German and his father was 50/50 Irish & English)

Here is a neat, but sad excerpt from the short paper we received - I am suprised at how much information they actually recorded back in 1921!

.Despite the dark and dreary day, sunshine was beaming inside of me.

I was able to share this information with my grandmother & to see the look on her face when I read her all the information - it was great ♥

She has always been curious & now she was able to learn more about the man that she loved so much.

*sigh*

oh what a day : )

xoxo

-erinj0

The ball is rolling & things are starting!

This week marks the beginning of...

THE BACHELORETTE
This picture has a list of all the possible 25 Bachelor's who were shown the first day : ) 

 

We rank each guy from 1-5 (one as the lowest, 5 as the highest)

The notes in pink (on the left are my rankings) & the ones in red (on the right are my moms).

These are just our FIRST impression scores! We scored them right when they stepped out of the limo (so ranking them in about 15 seconds can be hard!)

It's fun to see how our opinions change over the course of the season & we actually get to see their personalities!!!

                        This picture is my rankings.

SO, I'm a little okay a lot, obsessed.

I take it to the extreme and make notes next to each guy so I can remember who they are & what I thought of them! Call me a dork, it's cool!
 

**Note: Jeff does not have a score because I refused to rank a man who wore a mask all night and acted strange! (PLUS, I couldn't see what he really looked like!)  

Growing up, it was no one but me & my mom - no men & no siblings

SO

Monday nights are "girls" nights : ) 

Just me n' my mom

eating some ice cream

enjoying our guilty pleasure

laughing at scenes

judging men

& having fun

♥

An Introduction to Fall Student Teaching

Today, I met my cooperating teacher, the principal of the school, and the first grade classroom!

I was informed that my classroom will have quite a few students with behavior disorders and according to the teaching "will definitely be a challenge!"

*deep breathe* Oh boy!  

My student teaching consists of two semesters, since I have will have a dual degree in Elementary Education & Special Education. 

Even though I will have quite a few first graders with behavior disorders, this semester is actually my general education classroom placement and (Spring) will be my special education placement!

 The teachers there seemed very nice & had such a welcoming personality : )

I think it will be a good Fall semester!

xoxo

-erinj0

Stylish Blogger Award♥

I am very excited to say that Sarah over at Sunlight After Rain gave me the "Stylish Blogger Award"!

I think it's really fun & I'm happy to pass this along & participate!

(It' also good to find new, great blogs!)

♥
 

This award requires you to name seven facts about yourself

Here are mine

.ONE.

 Well, I don't drink much pop, but when I do...

I absolutely hate "dark" pop - I will only drink clear pop

I also dislike the word soda & get in many arguments with people regarding the proper terminology! 

It is "pop" not "soda" ; )

.TWO.

I absolutely love, love, LOVE to scrapbook! 

I haven't been able to do much lately as I am really busy & it is awfully expensive - especially since I am really particular and anal. I can work on just one page for an hour to make sure it is perfect!

.THREE.

I cannot stand car salesmen. It is a complete turn-off. You can be the greatest guy in all the universe, but if you sell cars, it's a deal breaker for me.  

(My dad that I have never met (he goes by shit head) was a car salesman, so I think that is why, too!)

**I sincerely apologize if this statement offends anyone**

.FOUR.

I have a major addiction to reality television. Now, I understand that most of it is scripted and not truly reality - but it is really fun watching others experience their own life (real or not!)

.FIVE.

I have way too many tee shirts than storage space for them in my one bedroom apartment. I also have a love for sweatpants. If I could, I think I would live in sweatpants : ) 

.SIX.

As weird as it sounds, I am kind of scared of commitment - maybe you can say I'm a "commito-phobe" or whatever, but I am such an independent person & love my me time : ) I have been with my boy for almost one, two, three, four, five, six, seven freakin long years - but making that final commitment scares me : /

.SEVEN.

Lastly, on a lighter note...semi-trucks scare the crap out of me!!! 

When I drive by them, especially on the interstate I get nervous, shaky, and start to sweat. Those people who drive them huge momma's are usually over worked, tired and should not be driving half the time. With my little cheap car, they'd be sure to kill me!

Now I would like to pass this on to the following seven blogs : ) 

Little Dream Girl

Growing Older, Growing Up?

and so the lion fell in love with the lamb...

A Whiter Shade of Pale

You've Given Me The Most Beautiful Set Of Wings

Life as a Southern Girl

"Confessions of a Small Town Girl..."

xoxo

-erinj0

Just Another Week

We're alive : ) 

The crazy beliefs that the world was ending were suprisingly...FALSE. Go figure!

♥ photo credit 
 

Since the world is going to go on like another old week in this world, here are some things I am looking forward to this upcoming week:

.Monday. 

{1} THE BACHELORETTE PREMIERES : ) 

 I am a big BAchelor(ette) fanatic and I am hoping there are a couple other bloggers out there who share the same crazy love as I do for this partially scripted, sometimes sappy, but oh so entertaining show! 

**If you want to take a sneak peak at the possible contestants and begin picking favorites, etc... like me, then head over here to the Bachelorette facebook fan page & click on "Meet the Bachelors" to learn more!**

 {2} I FIND OUT MY HISTORY & NATIONALITY!!!!!!

Okay, this is HUGE! 

My grandpa was adopted back in 1921, so we are unsure of our nationality & any information pertaining to. 

Last week I made a call to the adoption agency in our state that he was adopted from & it turns out that we can access some information! We went through the process, filled out paper-work & they found NINE pieces of paper from his adoption file! 

(Now, I know nine pages really doesn't seem like a lot, but for 1921, that is quite substantial!) 

 I am really excited for the mail to come tomorrow & hopefully find out some of my history : ) 

Can you tell I'm kinda, really excited?! 

.Tuesday.

{3} I GET TO MEET MY COOPERATING TEACHER & PRINCIPAL

As most of you know, I am going to be student teaching this fall with 1st graders. I set up an appointment to meet with the teacher I will be working with and the principal of that school. I am very excited to get insight on lesson plans that I can start working on & see my classroom!! : ) 

 .The Rest of the Days Following.

{4} Nothing else happening this coming week seems important to blog about in comparison to these two things I have going on in the beginning of the week!

I have...

-Final due Tuesday

-Projects due Wednesday

-Driving Gram to organ : )

-Class...boring!

-Family graduation this weekend

-Blah, blah and blah

I'll keep you all posted on the updates!

What exciting things do you have coming up this week?

xoxo

-erinj0

The so called "Judgment Day"

 "Judgment Day"

According to a radical Christian group, tomorrow (May 21st, 2011), the world will come to an end.

Personally, I think this is just crazy for many reasons!

{1} We do not know when Jesus will come back to earth. Only God has the answer

{2} I personally believe the bible should not be taken literally. I see it as a guide for people to live by and learn from. 

{3} I do not believe that any religion (or person) is superior than another. I truly respect everyone's beliefs, whether or not you believe in God!

 {4} This theory is just crazy, weird, and honestly I think it's just fun to make humor out of it! : ) 

So - How are you going to celebrate Judgment Day?

As for me, I am going to:

*Indulge in some tasty Red Mango Frozen Yogurt*

*Attend the showing of Pirates of the Caribbean, while enjoying how good Johnny Depp looks in eye makeup*

...and enjoy the rest of night with my man : )

Well, enjoy your last day lovelies!
What are YOU going to do?

xoxo

-erinj0

Coupon Craze

I have become so inspired by the lovely starts of TLC's hit show Extreme Coupoining. Now, I don't want to become that obsessed and have stock piles up to the ceiling. I am still in college and living in a one bedroom apartment...storage would sort of be an issue! While I am not going to go to those extremes, the show has taught me that it is unnecessary to spend money on certain things that you can get for free or close to free!

I have been collecting coupons for about a week now, trying to stay organized and get familiar with things. I decided to test out the waters and see what it is like : )

::Here is my first coupon haul at Target::

Check this out - I saved over 50% on my total bill : ) Pretty sweet, huh?

The Details

Clorox Wipes: $1.61
Dentyne Gum: .04
Mio Water Enhancer: $2.49 (This was the costly item. I only had a dollar off coupon)
Sensodyne Toothpaste: .24
Colgate Pro Whitening Tootpaste: $1.24
Ibuprofen 24ct: FREE!
Rubbing Alcohol: .02
Hydrogen Peroxide: .52

The Damage

Total Retail Price for EVERYTHING: $13.40

MY PRICE: $6.14

While this is nothing compared to those crazy insane wonderfully talented couponers out there, for my first time...I am satisfied : ) 

What do you think? Do you guys coupon!?

xoxo

-erinj0

It's "Letter" Official

The anticipation has been building for months and months regarding my placement for student teaching in the Fall. All the paperwork and interviews were conducted in late January, and even though four months may seem rather short - it seemed like a lifetime.

I had a couple options in terms of the application portion, regarding my preferences. The choices were grades 1st-3rd or 4th-6th. Ideally, I wanted third or fourth : / Well, I had to make a decision as those two choices were impossible, given my two options! Ultimately, I settled with 1st-3rd, as I currently do not really want 5th or 6th (who knows though, because with time...everything changes!)

My next option was district. I could not specify a particular school, but I could pick my top two districts. My first choice can be rather difficult to get into, so my nerves were going throughout the entire waiting process!

The time has finally come. My letter is here. 

This was an exciting moment for me and there was one person who I wanted to share this with; my mom. With the sealed envelope in hand, I grab my phone and quickly dial her number, hoping that she answers within the first ring or two. Ring and after ring, and finally she answers on the last one, just before the voicemail would hit. (Mind you that she is fully aware that my letter should be coming any time now, as I have voiced my anticipation to her so much that it is drilled in her head whether she wanted to know or not!) I start to utter my words so fast that they just blend together. Finally I am able to blab in the phone that "I got my letter". Oh boy, who would think that four words were so hard to say? haha  -  I told her that I want to share this news with her and I have not even opened the envelope yet. Slowly, Quickly I open the envelope and try to scan the letter, not knowing where to look first. The first thing that grabbed my attention was FIRST GRADE! Alright, I'm happy : ) I mean, really...I had no idea what to expect. More importantly to me.. what's my district, where am I at?! AHHHHH! I got #**! I got my first pick district. Granted, I want to clearly state that I would be happy at my second pick as well, but it was nice that I got my first choice!

SO

♥ It's "official",  I will be student teaching with 1st graders starting this August!!!♥

Now what? Well, starting tomorrow - Summer classes begin. I have to complete 12 more credit hours this summer, before I can teach in August. I just pray that my health holds up and I can make it through. As we POTSies know, the heat is terrible for us and I tend to do worse in the summer. 

But -  I believe that with faith and perseverance, I can make it through.

Bring it on summer, bring it on!

"We are powerful despite our injuries"

-Maritime Lyrics

xoxo

-erinj0

The Handwriting Challenge

So - I have been tagged in something called "The Handwriting Challenge" by my lovely friend, Georgina, and of course, I just have to participate! 

It also reminded me how much I like to journal. This forced me to break it out & start keeping my thoughts on paper (as well as online!)

The rules are as followed:

{1} Name & Blog Name

{2} URL

{3} Write: "A quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog"

{4} Favorite quote

{5} Favorite song

{6} Favorite band(s) or Favorite artist(s)

{7}Anything else you wish to say...

Now, I tag --

♥ Brooke from Growing Older, Growing Up?

♥ Kate from (fill in the blank) blonde

♥ Amy from A Darling Little Life

xoxo

-erinj0

I Hate the Heat...& the Heat HATES me : /

 Welp, it's the first official day of summer. 

As for summer, I mean the spring semester is totally finished

...all the grades are reported and books returned. 

I should be excited right? It's like a catch 22 - Excited school is over, but the actual temperature and the heat of summer is just dreadful to think about.

...Sort of anticlimatic


The summer time brings about many things in this dear old life of mine that I just do not like. It is like a vicious circle that I know will not turn out well. (Oh lordy, am I being positive or what) ha.

Heat=Tachycardia

Tachycardia=Fatigue

Fatigue=Brain Fog

Brain Fog=Homework/School Trouble

Homework/School Trouble=...you get the picture!

Sometimes I think I overdue to. I try to do too much or I go out for too long. I need to learn when is enough, but how will I every know? Will I ever learn... I don't know.

Story Time!

 *So, my gram calls me up last week and proceeds to ask how I am doing and start the typical grandma chit chat "so, how are you doing Erin? Feeling good today?" blah blah blah, the typical grandma conversations - After all of that, she then proceeds to ask if I could drive her to the weekly Wednesday organ class that she attends, with all her lady friends. (She knew that I had nothing to do, I finished my finals early and I would just be sitting at home, twiddling my thumbs staring at the wall) How could I say no? She has been trapped in her apartment for almost a week, as her typical driver has had a family emergency and unable to take her places.

*I pull up promptly on Wednesday around 10:10am. Let me tell you that I have a very low car and watching a ninety-two year old woman get in and out is quite...sad? Ooo, that sounds wrong - but you know what I mean. I ask if I can help get her seat-belt on (ask I typically do on the way to family functions when my mom and I always pick her up) - I definitely shouldn't have asked : / "I can do it, Erin!" she replied harshly, and I quickly backed down...*

*So. we were driving and I asked for clarification to make sure I knew where I was headed. I then said I would just catch the interstate, as it would be the fastest route. "I am in NO hurry!" Don't take the interstate. Well, mistake number one - I took the interstate and the eyes rolled and a "UGGHhHhh" fell out of her mouth. Whooops?*

*Arrival!!!!  As we stop she needs to put in a new hearing aid before she can enter.  I could see she was having difficulties trying get the tiny battery in her little aid with her arthritic fingers. You guessed it, mistake number two, I asked her if I could help. Eeeeeek. I'll just stop there*

*I was about to ask what time she would like me to pick her up. This is the kicker...she was really pulling my leg, playing the old lady card good here! She said..

• Well, you could pick me up after class around noon, if your in hurry - I mean I understand if you have to, but I usually eat lunch with all my friends and it's nice to catch up. 

OR

• I could call you from my cell phone (a "jitterbug" to be exact for people with hearing difficulties that has only a call, yes and no button! toooo cute!) and let you know where I am eating at. This way I could eat with all my friends and this is what I usually do. 

But it's totally up to you, she says. First, let me tell you that I was NEVER going to pick her up early, but man! She totally played those two options pretty well to tug at my heart strings.

*Lastly, as she was getting out of the car, I said "So are you playing today Grandma?" and she chuckles and responds, "Oh no dear, I didn't practice this week! This class is for advanced players and you need to practice!" HaHa ; )

I love being her new Wednesday chauffeur for the month of May!

THINGS THAT WILL MAKE/MADE ME SMILE THIS MONTH

1. STAR JONES GETTING ELIMINATED FROM CELEBRITY APPRENTICE! Finally : ) 
2. The Bachelorette starts this month
3. I renewed my lease & get to stay in my apartment another year
4. My appointment with my neurologist is less than a month away (I've been waiting 6months)
5. I find out where I student teach this month!
6. My family comes in town 
7. My lovely boy graduated from college this past week : )
8. My amazing family  
9. ♥

What made you smile this month?
: ) erinj0

A moment that makes history...

Osama Bin Laden is dead : ) 

9years 7months & 20days since 9/11

I'm proud to be an American & very thankful for our amazing troops and military serving our country.