Mom Saves the Day!

{What's been going on}
...for the past two days, I have been home sick.
Feeling crappy and crazy busy, trying to tackle so many upcoming projects and tasks.
It is quite difficult to accomplish all your things when you suffer from a dang chronic illness.
It makes it even more difficult try and explain why you are under the weather or why you "always" get sick. That is the part I hate the most and I don't think it wil lever get any easier.

Today I had my update appointment with my autonomic neurologist.
SO much to say, so many interesting new insights
I will save that for another day...stay tuned!

{The Big Day}

TOMORROW is my big assessment presentation to wrap up my student teaching experience. The performance given will be ranked into categories: Excellent, Above Average, Average, Below, and Poor. You are graded on your confidence, knowledge, skills presented, content, and professional attire.

Here's the thing. I don't own any super "professional" clothes. I am really a sweat pants and cotton shirt kind of gal. Yes, I do "student teach" so I wear dress pants and cardigans, but nothing to spectacular. Honestly, most first grade teachers I know just stick to the business casual world of the target women's department! ;) If it gets dirty, torn, or tattered...no biggie!

Life in the big, fast lane of suits and snazzy outfits just doesn't fit me (nor my wallet). 

{The Story}
Get a load of what my AMAZING mother did for me tonight. As I am attempting to practice and perfect my 12 minute presentation, I am worrying about what to wear. The men are wearing suits and the ladies were told to wear your "best professional attire". I'm freaking out in my apartment thinking thoughts of "oh man, what am I going to do" "I don't feel good, I can't fathom going out and shopping right now". Well, my lovely old mother decided to get in the car and head to the store.

She purchased hundreds of dollars worth of clothing. Yes, hundreds. She came knocking on my door bearing gifts and was so excited. I attempted to try on all of the wonderful options; however, slowly but surely, one after another, they all became "no's. I was very thankful for everything she tried to do for me, but it is just very difficult for me to find clothes.

I assured her that I would make something work, but I just felt kind of nervous. Your self esteem kind of drops when you know that everyone around you will be wearing nice clothes and you...well, aren't.

She knew I was screwed (for lack of better words) and the little stinker drove all the way to more stores and purchased MORE outfits to try. I didn't know until she wasn't answering her home phone and I tried her cell. I couldn't believe that she went out of her way & went driving to ANOTHER store.

She came on over and showcased 15 more articles of clothing.
How special is she?! I was shocked and so grateful.

Luckily, I was able to find TWO pieces of clothing that would work perfectly.
She was elated and that pit in my stomach was put to ease.

On top of that. She even stay and ironed them all :)
Double bonus.

***

So now, I have the clothes...
All that's left is the infamous presentation tomorrow!
Wish me luck :)

What are your tips for easing your nerves before a big project/presentation or has anyone went completely out of their way to make sure you are completely confident and comfortable?

I am so happy to say I have the most amazing mother.
I love you mom,
xoxo

Day of Birth

What nerd spends her birthday blogging?
THIS one.

I couldn't think of a better way to spend my birthday, then by working with dear old first graders (while feeling like hell), visiting my dear old gram and bringing her a good ol' Arby's jamocha shake, spending some quality time with my ma and gram, then driving home to change into my pj's, hope in bed, sip on some ice cold water, and watch a lot of stupid, yet addicting, trashy television all night.

       

Check out these hot ladies that I was blessed to spend my day with...

Hot mom and rockin' gram...yeah

JEALOUS, much?

;)

Not a typical 23 year old birthday, but laying in bed around 8:00pm is my typical day. 

I have actually became quite content with things and my not so typical and rather dull life (at times). While most peopel look at me and wonder how I manage always falling asleep around 9:00pm (yet I can't stay stay asleep more than 2hours at night) or how I like not partying and going out with my friends. To those people, I can say yes, it is very hard and frustrating seeing others going out around you having a gay ol' time while you just sit by and watch. 

but honestly, 

sometimes I actually enjoy my life. 

It's quiet. It can suck (but whose doesn't at times).
But it's my life.
<3

While being sick surely has it's crappy times...more than you know

I have met some freakishly amazing people.

Some who have chronic illnesses and some who don't.

...all are equally important in my life

Special shout out to @Sarah from Sunlight After Rain

and Brooke over at Growing Older, Growing Up?

and to EVERYONE else out there in the blogging world who cares.
Your constant words, comments, encouragement, and all mean the world to me!
Thanks for being a part of my life :)
A great birthday to know that so many people care
<3

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

Happy Birthday to me :)

I am SO blessed.

xoxo

erinj0

Labor Day Weekend

.It's been a long Labor Day Weekend.

I picked up a babysitting job to make a little cash, and let me tell you...that kept me busy!

It has been quite some time since I have: changed a diaper, watched hours of Dora The Explorer and Nick Jr, played with sidewalk chalk, blew bubbles, and played house and hide and go seek...

After the long weekend, it made me realize just how needed naps really are!

I wish that as adults, we could still get an occasional "nap time break". 

I mean heck, people get smoke breaks, we should be allowed nap breaks!

{yes, I am totally kidding...}

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

My mom and gram are in the good old sunny state of Florida visiting my family while I was left here. By myself, working, sitting around, not doing a lot  -  

Here is the first card she gave me before she left. 

It was nice...I even got a gift card :)

...and then I get this one!

My mom loves to make me smile and crack the jokes! 

When my best friend went on her first date, she got picked up at my house.

(first of all, that was a mistake!) 

He rang the doorbell and my mom answered with underwear on her head, while contiuing to talk in some weird foreign accent saying something along the lines of  "Oh hello boy, are you here to pick up the good old Lisa? Where are you taking her and what are your intentions"

Sadly, no, I am not fibbing. She really did.

You know what's even better? I can't wait to embarrass my kids someday :) 

**I pick them up later tonight and made them a little welcome home snack!**

♥ photo credit

*please note that this beautiful picture was not the result of my oh so fab baking skills. 

They tasted just as good; however, they didn't quite look that way - 

so I thought I would share the professional pic ; )

*Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies*

Yield: 24 small brownies

What you will need:

1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 whole egg
2 egg whites
1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350˚F.  

Line an 11″- x 7″-inch pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs and oil until smooth.  Set aside.

In a separate medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, spices, salt and brown sugar.  

Add to the wet ingredients and mix until thoroughly incorporated.  

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly.  

Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until passes toothpick test.  

Cool completely before cutting.

-enjoy

Goodnight friends :)

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

A Day to Celebrate

Happy Birthday, Mom : )

(This was the first shot I took on my 21st birthday & the first shot she took in 21 years!)

Who is your rock? The person you look up to and depend on when you are down and in need of someone to lift you back up again. Who is the person you rely on whenever you are in trouble or just need someone to talk to. What about the one person who would drop anything in a heartbeat to be right there by your side. 

My mother is that person. She has been there for me through all the bad days (and good) in my life without fail. Dating back to my first school play and Christmas concert. The only time she ever missed a sporting event, concert, award, announcement, etc was when she was having surgery or in the hospital herself. 

Not only do you put me above yourself mom, but you understand the pain and hurt that I go through. You understand what it is like to be sick day after day and to have people around you not understand. You make feel like everything is going to be okay.
YOU. You are the one person who keeps me going every day : ) 

I love you so much mom, more than words could ever show.

Today is your day. Happy Birthday Mom!

♥ erinj0

It's Monday and You Know What That Means

It's The Bachelor!!!! : ) 

So - Monday nights is bonding time. My mom and I get together, eat some food and gossip about each girl in detail. I mean we talk about their attire, personality, looks, you name it. We then will rate each girl and guess how far they will go at the beginning & make predictions. I think this year we might even start a mini-journal and give stars for each girl based on first impressions! This is our time together where we can just relax and laugh. I also talk with my friends and people online about this too. (Maybe I shouldn't be divulging how into this show I really am, it's kinda pathetic to the outside folk). I'll be blogging on Mondays about my predictions and updates!

 Here is what we are going to enjoy tonight during the premiere episode!

(I know it's not quite the healthiest or best thing for me 

- but it just looked so good!)

Anyways - these past two days have been rough. I have had a pretty fantastic Christmas break and I think it's safe to say that I over did it. My body is now paying the price. Loads of fatigue, muscle pain, chest pain, tachycardia and migraines! : ( But it was so nice to enjoy my break! Last year I was in the hospital over New Years so this was great to spend it with some friends and ring in the new year with my grandma and mom. I treated them to the movie theater we have here in Omaha where you eat dinner and watch the movie. We sat in VIP and it was a great day! Especially to make my grandma so happy and take her out... she does so well for a 90year old lady.

Side Note: I just watched the movie "Because I Said So" again last night and it reminds me so much of my relationship with my mom. It makes me smile. If you haven't seen it - I would definitely recommend it! 

20 minutes till' the premiere!
xoxo - erinj0