Free Giveaway!

Hello friends...
I have a quick post that could help you or I score a $50 gift card to Victoria's Secret...head over to Blonde Episodes blog and enter her back to school giveaway! Blonde Episodes Giveaway!! I'm in love with the blog and am excited to keep up with what she has to say...plus she's a teacher...and teachers rock!
While you're at it follow my love Heather's blog...she's giving a Target gift card away! Heather's Blog!
Till next time!

Day 24 and Day 25...A Movie You Wouldn't Expect Me To Have and A Recipe

So I spent a long time trying to figure out a movie that no one would expect me to watch or have...but my movies are all very me...girly, romantic comedies, or kids movies.  Nothing scary or bloody...so I have nothing for that. I do however have a recipe to share.  I love it very much and made it for my family for Christmas dinner.


Before Cooking

After Cooking
This is my all is one meal.  It can be made with either chicken or pork tenderloin.
You will need enough of either meat to feed your family
Shake and Bake flavor of your choice
Potatoes that have been peeled and par boiled
Mushrooms, Peppers, Onions(as many or few as you like)
Italian Dressing
BBQ Sauce
Shredded Cheese

You'll need a pan large enough to fit all the ingredients in without stacking your meat so it cooks evenly.  Also, you'll want to foil line it for easy clean up.
Preheat the oven to 350-375 for the pork or chicken
In your pan place your Shake and Bake coated meat, followed by your sliced veggies, and your par boiled potatoes
Drizzle as much or little Italian Dressing as you like over the whole pan.
Place in oven when ready and cook for 30 mins for chicken and more like 45 for pork
Remove from oven and coat with BBQ sauce and Shredded Cheese
Cook for another 5 minutes
Enjoy!

When I cook I use a meat thermometer more then times...pork should be cooked to at least 160 degrees and chicken to at least 165 degrees...always testing the fattest part of the meat.

Hope you try it...it is quite a tasty meal!

Day 23... A Way In Which You Want To Be Remembered

I would love to be remembered with a scholarship in my name. It could be for working with kids in a school or to help someone who wants to be a teacher.  Either that or for excellence in programming for Bridgewater State's Program Committee...since I spent a lot of time there during college.  I like the idea of a scholarship because I know that they helped me get through college and I'd love to help others.

Day 22...A Website

Soap.com

So this is a website I just recently started using...it's pretty awesome! I get all the stuff I'd need from different places like the grocery store, cvs, wal-mart, all in one place...shipped to me in 1 to 2 days...with coupons and discounts. I think it's wonderful. I placed an order yesterday (2/6) it will be here tomorrow (2/8) and they gave me free shipping and $10.00...what more could I want.  I hope you all try it and like it as much as I do...and if you use my share the savings code you get 15% off your first purchase! Code: ERIN7402
Happy Saving!



Day 21...Something You Do Differently Then Most People

Coupons...

I cut and use coupons like no other.  If there is a coupon for something I need I will find it.  I will switch where I'm going out to eat because I have a coupon.  My grocery list is always what's on sale and what's on sale with a coupon.  I started at a young age with coupons...organizing my mom's by date of expiration.  I never quite understood how important they were until I started my own shopping.  There have been times that with my coupons and sales I've spent as much or less then I've saved...which is crazy.  I know that others use coupons, I just feel like there are very few of my friends that use them like I do.  My tip to you all is google search before you go...9 times out of 10 there's a coupon for it!

Day 20...A Hobby You Have

Taking Pictures

My camera goes everywhere with me...I love to take pictures.  Pictures of friends and family, pets, animals, nature...you name it.  I'd love to have a better camera to work with, but better means more money, so right now I stick with what I have.  Pictures to me are an amazing way to document what I've been up to or where I've been.  I also love to make slideshows with pictures, especially for my classes, it's like a year in review for them...so my picture taking is essential.  It's definately something I will continue for many years to come...I can't wait to see what amazing pictures I will get!

Day 19...A Talent You Have

Dance

I may not be the best dancer or the most talented dancer but I love doing it and I'm ok at it.  It's something I didn't start until my 2nd year at Bridgewater but I'm so glad I did.  I LOVE dancing...it's so nice to work out and have fun.  At Bridgewater I was in the Dance Company for their Spring PoPs! Performance, and I took dance classes.  Jazz class was great, and ballroom and latin ballroom pairs dancing was educational...it took a lot to let the guys lead when you knew what you were doing and they didn't.  I wish that I had time now for dance...and maybe it's something I need to work into my schedule...but it's something I suggest everyone try at least once.

Day 18...A Time You Felt Passionate and Alive

Relay For Life

Ever since I was in high school I've made an attempt to do the Relay in some way...be it with a team or as a volunteer.  Last year I tried having my own team with my best friend...problem was lots of people wanted to do it, but when midnight rolled around there was just 3 of us to walk the night shift.  When I got up to use the bathroom at 3am and do some walking I really had some time to think...it was quiet and everything was lit with candles and it was beautiful.  It gave me time to reflect and be thankful for being alive and also time to think about those I had lost.  I'd like to do the Relay again this year, and I'd love to have another team, but I just can't swing it with only 3 of us...but I will go, even if to just walk some laps.

Day 17...An Art Piece

Water Lilies
Monet

Something about this painting is so peaceful and calm.  Looking at it really makes me stop for a minute and reflect and I don't think I always do that enough.  It's such a beautiful picture too...the colors and design is perfect.  I'm not a huge art person, it's interesting, but not something I've ever studied for fun.  This is just one of those pictutres that's always stuck in my mind.  I'd like to be in that pond in a boat just enjoying the quiet...it sounds really nice after all these snowy and rainy days we've had lately.

Day 16...A Song That Makes You Cry

Amazing Grace

I cannot listen to this song without tearing up.  It's always been an emotional song for me but became even more so after a very difficult funeral.  When I was in college I decided to start watching the morning news. So every day I would get up and put on the Fox 25 morning news. One morning I put the news on and there was a tragic fire on the Cape...killed the whole family.  As I listened I felt terrible for all those who knew the family until I realized that I knew the family.  I went home that weekend to be there for one of my best friends from high school as she had just lost her brother and his family.  The wake was hard with the kids that were there saying goodbye to their classmate and friend, but when the bagpipes played Amazing Grace at the funeral I lost it...I held it together until then.  So this is the song that will always make me cry...even this beautiful version by Overboard Acapella featuring Alfredo Austin.

Day 15...A Person You Admire

My Mother

She has worked so hard in her life to keep us on our feet.  She is the most amazing person I know and someone I can't picture my life without.  She has tried so many jobs I'd be afraid to do and has excelled at all of them.  Even though she hates shopping she always goes with me, and I think she secretly has fun.  We do girls lunches and some weekends we just hang together in our pj's.  I know I'm going to move out eventually, but I'm afraid of how lonely I'll be without her.  Whenever I go away...even if it's just a couple days...I call her in the morning just to talk because I'm bored or I miss her.  My mom is definately the most important person in my life and my best friend.  I can't wait to celebrate our birthdays together this year at Fenway!! She's someone I admire more than she'll ever know!
Love you Mom!



Day 14...A Vacation You'd Like To Take

Vacations...
They are like my weakness...I love to travel-I hate driving.  I have been lucky to do a little traveling...I went to Ireland with the marching band and color guard and I loved that. I'd like to do that trip again, but be more touristy and less scheduled.  I made it to California...but only for Disney and a convention so I'd love to see more.  I've hit all the New England states...I'd like to see more of some of them. I guess the next trip I'd like to take would be to Disney in Florida because I am such a kid at heart.  Or South Carolina because its beautiful I've heard and I have some special family there!  If you have any vacation suggestions I'd love to hear them :o)


Day 13...A Guilty Pleasure

Coach Bags

I happen to have that bag...it's my teacher bag. I love my Coach's because they're durable, pretty, and different.  I know they're expensive...but I'm a thrifty gal and only shop the outlet and always have a coupon.  They last forever...I have yet to destroy one...not that I try.  I perhaps should find a cheaper guilty pleasure...not sure I'll enjoy it as much though :o)



Day 12...A Song You Want Played At Your Wedding

You & Me...Dave Matthews Band

This song is so sweet and simple. The words are truely fitting to my boyfriend and I, and a perfect song for our wedding...whenever it may be.  I love Dave Matthews...his music is beautiful and it would be exactly the song I'd want to dance to.  It's Dan's ringtone when he calls...it makes me smile when I hear it.  When we went away for our anniversary and went down to the hotel pool it was playing...it was a sign. I hope you all love it as much as I do.

"Wanna pack your bags, Something small
Take what you need and we disappear
Without a trace we'll be gone, gone
The moon and the stars can follow the car
and then when we get to the ocean
We gonna take a boat to the end of the world
All the way to the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough
We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby
You and me together yes, yes"

Day 11...A Photo Of You Taken Recently

It's not the most recent picture...it's a few months old...but it's me with some kids I love from school.  I did morning daycare one day and was lucky enough to have all these girls with me. We colored Flat Stanley and Stella and talked about Siobhan Magnus.  I love my job!

Day 10...A Picture Of You From Over 10 Years Ago

June 1989

My cousins and I on a nice summer day.  We have on our stylish elastic waist pants and skirts...those were the days! I was a mere 5 years...almost 6 though.  Happy flashback!

Day 9...A Photo You Took

These are 3 of my favorite pictures I've Taken:

 This was taken when my dad had hip replacement surgery from his hospital room window at Cape Cod Hospital...he had such a great view from that room!

This was taken from the porch of the National Seashore house this November...It has quickly become one of my favorite pictures.

This was also taken during my time at the seashore, but at the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp...it's so beautiful there!

Day 8...A Thank You Letter To Someone Who's Changed Your Life

There have been many people who have shaped my life and helped me to become who I am today. My family, my boyfriend, my girls from college, the amazing staff at HyWest and MES; but none can compare to my best friend. So it is to her that I will write my letter:
Dear Nicole,
You are the definition of best friend. We met so long ago that I really can't remember a time without you. It was scary to move to Yarmouth but there you were with an empty swing at recess for me. We had some great times at Mattacheese...especially rooming together at the 8th grade class trip. We made it through the tough times at DY...but had a blast. Band was interesting...but the trips with you were fabulous.  You have always encouraged me to be the best I can and I never have forgotten it. You're with me during the fun times...parties, dinners, road trips; and in the not so fun ones too. My life would be incomplete without my acapella partner...I don't think anyone else gets it like you do. No matter what I know we will be together through thick and thin.
You are the definition of a best friend and I am forever grateful for that!
"Best Friends are very special people in your life. They are the first people you think about when you make plans. They are the first people you go to when you need someone to talk to. You will phone them up just to talk about nothing, or the most important things in your life. When you’re sad they will try their hardest to cheer you up. They give the best hugs in the world! They are the shoulder to cry on, because you know that they truly care about you. In most cases they would take a bullet for you, coz it would be too painful to watch you get hurt. "
Love Always,
Erin


Day 7... 5 Things You Could Not Possibly Live Without

1. The people who keep me grounded: My Mom, my best friend Nicole, and my boyfriend Dan.  I can not imagine them not in my life. They are my constant reminder that I can do anything I put my mind to, they are always there for me, they've seen me at my best and at my worst and love me anyway.  I know I can count on them...each in a different way. My mom has always been my rock ever since I was little, she reminds me that I can do whatever I want. She makes me feel invincible.  Nicole has been with me since 4th grade. She was the first kid to not make me feel like a stranger when I moved to Yarmouth. We grew up together and I know that I can go to her anytime. She will forever be my best friend. Dan is my constant reminder that I'm beautiful and loved. He pushes me to be my best and encourages me to do the things that scare me most...like driving. I never want to be without any of them...I love them all too much!

2. My Camera: I love to take pictures of everything I do.  Pictures remind me of all the amazing times and people in my life.  My favorite thing in the world is my camera...it travels everywhere with me...just incase I need to snap a photo.

3. My Phone: I know...it's kind of a silly thing to not be able to live without, but, I use it to keep in touch with friends, family, and even for work.  And I do love my phone :o)

4. Music: I have always been a huge music fan.  On any given day in the summer you can find me at a Hyannis Sound show, on the Village Green watching a free concert, or even possibly at the Melody Tent.  Any other time you can find me singing in the car with Nicole to some mix cd I made, or singing in the shower to a Glee soundtrack...you never know.  It's something I'm passionate about and something I enjoy.


5. My Job: I know that most people couldn't live without a job, but I really love what I do. Working in an elementary school is such a rewarding job. To see a kid get something after struggling with it for weeks is the best feeling. You meet some of the best kids, ones that you know will stay in touch for years and it makes all the bad days worth it.

Day 6...A moment you wish you could relive

Ireland
March 2000



This was one of the most amazing trips of my life.  Although it was more then a moment, it is something I wish I could do again in the future.  The picture above is just one of the many special times I had.  The D-Y Odyssey Color Guard had just won the International Color Guard Championship.  While there we also marched in the 2000 St. Patrick's Day parade and another parade in Limerick, visited the Blarney Stone, Trinity College, went to a fancy dinner in a castle, and so much more. It was a once in a lifetime experience for sure!  

Day 5...A Favorite Quote

An Irish Blessing...
"May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hands."

I found this quote when I went to Ireland in 2000 with the marching band.  It was on a little matted canvas in a calligraphy.  I loved it, bought it, and brought it home.  It stayed in the back of my mind until 2001 when I needed a senior quote for the yearbook.  It makes me think of Ireland, but also makes me remember that things will be ok.

Here's Hyannis Sound singing it...it's beautiful when they sing it:

Day 4...A Favorite T.V. Show

It's A Tie...



To pick just one favorite didn't work for me...so I picked two.  I know it's kinda cheating but oh well.  Clearly Glee and NCIS are the shows...very different, but both amazing to me.  I love the music of Glee and no matter how bad my day I can come home and put on a c.d. and relax. I love NCIS for the action and the interaction of the characters. The only bummer is these two shows are on the same night at the same time. Thankfully NCIS is on On Demand...so clearly Tuesday night is Glee and the weekend is NCIS OnDemand.

Happy Thursday!

Day 3...A Favorite Book

Oh, the Places You'll Go!



Of course my favorite book is a children's book...but a great one at that.  I have read this book so many times and know almost all the words by heart.  This is a book that I have read to every group of children I've had in school that are moving on to a new school, and to one very special group of girls I had over the summer at PCC. I find that every time I read it I tear up, knowing another group of amazing kids is leaving...but they're usually good about coming back or staying in touch so never fully out of my life.  If you haven't read it, you should...and if you have read it...read it again!

A quote:

"So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!"

Day 2...A Favorite Movie

Fever Pitch

This is my favorite movie for so many reasons...Drew Barrymore is my favorite actress and has been since I was a little girl.  Jimmy Fallon has easily taken the spot as my favorite actor...and the duo together is amazing! On top of both those things is the fact that it's a movie based on my favorite baseball team...The Red Sox...and their journey to win the World Series. I have watched this movie more times then I can count and know it word for word.  It never gets old...the love, the Sox...what could be better?

I'll leave you with a little Drew and Jimmy...

Ben: You know what's really great about baseball?
Lindsey Meeks: Hmm?
Ben: You can't fake it. You know, anything else in life you don't have to be great in - business, music, art - I mean you can get lucky.
Lindsey Meeks: Really?
Ben: Yeah, you can fool everyone for awhile, you know? It's like - not - not baseball. You can either hit a curveball or you can't. That's the way it works...
Lindsey Meeks: Hmm.
Ben: You know?
Ben: You can have a lucky day, sure, but you can't have a lucky career. It's a little like math. It's orderly. Win or lose, it's fair. It all adds up. It's, like, not as confusing or as ambiguous as, uh...
Lindsey Meeks: Life?
Ben: Yeah. It's - it's safe



Day 1...A favorite song

John Mayer's 83

I have loved John Mayer for as long as I can remember.  It's hard to pick just one favorite song, but I have listened to this song forever.  Something about it is so comforting and of course it holds a special place in my heart since I was born in 1983. 

In the words of Mr Mayer:
"And these days
I wish I was 6 again.
Oh, make me a red cape
I wanna be superman"

30 Day Blog Challenge...

I've always wanted to keep a blog but never had the motivation to.  After seeing many friends with blogs I decided it was my time to start one.  I'll try my best to stick to it as I've quit in the past...so here's the challenge...wish me luck.

Day 1 — A favorite song
Day 2 — A favorite movie
Day 3 — A favorite book
Day 4 — A favorite television program
Day 5 — A favorite quote
Day 6 — A moment you wish you could relive
Day 7 — 5 things you could not possibly live without
Day 8 — A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life
Day 9 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — A song that you want played at your wedding (or was played)
Day 13 — A guilty pleasure
Day 14 — A vacation you would like to take
Day 15 — A person you admire
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry
Day 17 — An art piece
Day 18 — A time when you felt passionate and alive
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — Something you know you do differently than most people
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A way in which you want to be remembered
Day 24 — A movie no one would expect you to love
Day 25 — A recipe
Day 26 — A childhood memory
Day 27 — A physical feature you love
Day 28 — A scar you have, and its story
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — A motto or philosophy