Freakishly (Not-So) Awesome Gifts

Have you ever stayed up entirely too late, only to catch yourself watching ridiculous infomercials that are so stupid, they can be somewhat intriguing?

Well here are just a couple infomercials that you might get some fabulous Christmas gift ideas from!

...or not ;)

***

Doggy Time Treats

(at first, this made me think you ate the same treats as your dog!)
I don't even cook or bake for myself!

I am most certainly not going to bake and cut out "cute little shapes" for my dogs who honestly could care less what they are eating, let alone what it looks like!

ID  Blocker Stamp

This product is actually rather tempting...

Now, does it actually work. Who knows?

Show Stoppers

Now I will say...I have tried double sided tape & it does leave icky residue.

This is tempting, that's for sure!

Stompeez

As they claim, they are "Slippers with personality" and "make kids even cuter"

Hmm... interesting word usage there?

As you walk these slippers have eyes/ears/etc. that pop up and down.

Kind of funny and probably entertaining...for the first day or two.

Forever Lazy

The snuggie on drugs. It's gone a little too far.

These are NOT supposed to be worn in public!

The best part of this commercial...

"Zippered hatches for when duty calls"

I could not stop laughing. 

Tread Ahead

If you live in the Midwest, you would understand why this is slightly tempting...

My car is awful in the snow and I get stuck in the dang snow every year!

5lb Gummy Bear

Need a crazy, 10,000 calorie gift for someone?

Why not send them the largest gummy bear...

(I'm getting sick thinking about people really eating this)

"Magic" Milk Straws

(Actually, my family and I were just talking about these!)

They are in stores (not sure where exactly) but my cousin uses & LOVES them.

I guess they actually have edible ones now, like cookies and cream and cereal flavors!

This is something I might have to try!

...for more silly gifts, check out this website and this one :)

**I do not condone or verify either source!**

What do you think about crazy, silly, infomercial gifts?

Have you ever had luck with them or given them as a gift...

I have to admit, some are rather tempting!

xoxo

Funny Parent Prank

Late night host, Jimmy Kimmel, asked his viewers to tell their children...

"I ate all your Halloween candy"

...and record their reactions.

They are pretty priceless, check it out!

Cause' we all NEED a laugh sometimes...
What are some funny pranks you have pulled?

xoxo
-erinj0

250,000=poverty

I don't know about you all, but $250,000 does NOT mean poverty in my book.

Here are some direct quotes from the lovely people over at Fox News 

(or should I say..."Faux News")

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

"Is $250,000 dollar income really rich?!" 

..."250,000 is NOT rich, for a family of four sending kids to college.... actually, it is close to poverty"

poverty? are you serious... that's a good one.
Also: Please note that I would love make $50,000 dollars

Try more like $30,000...thank you.

I had NO idea I was living in filth? 
I mean, if 50,000 is poverty that right now I am dirt stinking poor.

If 250,000 is poverty, whoa - what does that make the rest of us "typical" folks!?

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

I just get so irritated with this so called "news station" that preaches one sided beliefs.
Saying that teachers don't even work that much compared to "wall-street?"

Okay, you want to compare teachers to wallstreet and justify that it "isn't fair" that they aren't receiving their HUGE bonuses.

Oh dear, excuse me Mr. Rich, 

I'm sorry that you may be missing out on your $300,000+bonus, I just hope that you can manage to still make it through the year on your tiny little $500,000 yearly wages.

Sincerely,

-A local teacher who makes $30,000 a year

...& spends a good chunk of that money on her kids classroom supplies

....& works well over 8hours and day (and on weekends and while at home)

...& spends her summers preparing for the students coming year to make sure they have the best experience possible.


I hope you can understand what I am feeling by watching this video as well and feeling a large chunk of disgust to their crazy theories and thought processes.

Thoughts?

xoxo

My apologies.

I have been an awful blogger these past few weeks.
Excuses are useless, everyone has them.

I plan to catch up with everyone's blogs tomorrow - hope everyone is doing well :)

My life in first grade was rather chaotic for the first official "full week". On Friday, one little girl puked three times (all over the table, on the other children's homework, and the supplies...in the hallway, and up the stairs). Next, the girl across from her instantly reacted and spilled her bright red juice (this was during snack time) all over AND later in the day we had three breakdowns...needless to say, the kids were exhausted from a LONG week and needed the weekend, badly.

(...and so did Miss Erin)

BUT...

I wanted to make a note and recommend that every one should see "The Help"

It is a truly inspiring movie that really documents life's history, while still encompassing a large dose of humor and a wonderful storyline. 

I really think it was one of the best movies I have seen in years!

 {here is a clip that tells you a little more}

I will be jumping back into the swing of blogging again soon

Until next time...

xoxo

-erinj0 

Autism: The Musical

As many of you know, I love to share the wonderful things that I learn in my college classes. I am in my LAST class, (Social & Emotional Development of Youth) before I student teach this August. 

♥

Tonight's class was very moving. 

We watched the movie "Autism: The Musical"

Now, whether you know someone with Autism or not, this movie is so inspirational.

It will make your cry.

It will definitely make you laugh.

You will smile

and best of all...

it will help you understand the life,

the life of Autism.

It is long, 90 minutes total

(15min per part)

Watch if you wish,

I just though I would share :)

P.S. The start of Henry's story in 

Part II is (one) of my favorite parts!
*and* 
the bully scene during the last
2-3 minutes of part II.

{Part I}

{Part II}

{Part III}

{Part IV}

{Part V}

{Part VI}

{Part VII}

"Children remind us to treasure the smallest of gifts,

even in the most difficult times." -Allen Klein

xoxo

-erinj0

One of the hardest things

Understanding can be a concept that poses great difficulty for many different reasons.

For me, it's health

One of the hardest things is the "how"

How can I explain my health to others, so they can fully understand what I go through on a day-to-day basis.

This can be relatively difficult when things like definitions just provide them with medical words that are hard to understand and do not always portray an accurate picture.

One of the hardest things is explaining "why"...

WHY

:x: I frequently have to cancel my plans 

:x: I can't be out in the heat for very long

:x: I can't stand without getting sick

:x: You frequently have to come to my place, instead of me going to yours

:x: I can have a fairly good day yet completely exhausted the next

:x: I LOOK healthy on the outside, but am really suffering on the inside

:x: I am the way I am

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

If you have been a follower for a little while, you know that I struggle with a condition known as POTS or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. This past Friday, I had my long awaited appointment with a geneticist to get "officially" diagnosed with another condition : /

 I finally have a reason for my POTS.
This "reason" is called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
...or EDS for short (yes, another acronym!)
**I will explain in a later post how these two are related**

**Click Pictures to Enlarge**

- These are just a couple things I can do -
This is not the Beighton Scale

I scored a 9 out of 9 on the Beighton Scale
*used to help diagnose EDS*

I have always been extremely flexible, but never though much of it when I was younger
I was the kid who had the really long arms, that could bend/contort themselves in odd positions that others just thought was fascinating. Little did I know, it wasn't a good thing. For me, this was normal. My mom possessed the same traits (while not as extreme as mine) but still in itself, I thought it was abnormal if you couldn't do what I could.

****************

.Anyways.
Back to my hardest things...explaining the "hows" and "whys"

The following video is known as "The Spoon Theory" written by Christine Miserandino

Christine has Lupus, but this explanation is a wonderful portrayal for any illness/disease, 

and in my case - EDS and POTS.

If you know anyone struggling with  a chronic illness, I really encourage you to walk this short clip. You will gain a deeper understanding of what they may go through...

If you would like to share "The Spoon Theory" with your friends, family, or anyone you know, click here to download it via text/pdf

I hope everyone is well

♥ erinj0

What's your excuse?

Do you let negative things in your life get to you? 

Everyone has challenges whether they are big or small. 

but what is really important... what will make the biggest impact on your life -

is how you tackle those challenges.

 --------------------

In class tonight, we learned about an inspirational man named, John Foppe.

Who is this man you might ask?

John Foppe is a motivational speaker who happened to be born with no arms. 

He has such a powerful way of capturing his audience and helping them realize their potential by assuring them that nothing impossible and you can accomplish anything you put your mind to with dedication and perseverance.

**and he practices what he preaches!**

 Take a look at this short 10 minute clip - 

It will open your eyes to all the possibilties that life holds for us and will make you look at life a little differently...or at least I hope it will :)

Anything is possible

 

How do you make the most of your life?

Don't let those little things get to you!

 xoxo

-erinj0

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!**

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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

World Down Syndrome Day

Today is March 21st, 2011 - World Down Syndrome Day

One goal of mine is to spread awareness of certain topics and down syndrome just happens to be one of them --
Most of the time people don't realize things they say (the context in which they use words)


Re-tard
tard
Re-tarded


all of those words are degrading and should not be used.


Please--When you are about to use these words, think. Think about it.
According to the oxford dictionary, there are AT LEAST a quarter of a million English words...at least!


Think.Stop.Choose a Different Word : )




So...WHY is March 21st, World Down Syndrome Day?
World Down Syndrome Day takes place on 21 March every year. This date (21/3) represents the 3 copies of chromosomes 21, which is unique to people with Down Syndrome.


"The aims of World Down Syndrome Day are to promote awareness and understanding, seek international support, and to achieve dignity, equal rights, and a better life for people with Down Syndrome everywhere"


Will you be a supporter?

Check out this music video by MattyBRaps featuring my favorite artist on youtube, Tyler Ward

If Down Syndrome doesn't hold a place close to your heart now, I bet this will...

♥ erinj0

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to my man ♥

I haven't been feeling well so I am staying in & he is sick with the flu : /

I usually don't care to much about this "holiday" but it's fun to share memories.
Gifts are overrated for Valentines but home-aid creative ones are always accepted in my book!
We've been together 6 years and  so this is a conglomeration of pictures over our time together! Hope you enjoy : )

**Love You**

xoxo

-erinj0