"Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind, don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.



Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Extreme Couponing

Have you ever seen the TLC show, Extreme Couponing? Well, I'm not that "extreme", but I am couponing!

A few days ago, I was watching TLC, because, honestly, who doesn't love those crazy shows...but, anyways, an Extreme Couponing marathon was on, and I decided to watch one episode. ONE episode.

At first I thought it was preposterous, cutting up zillions of coupons and then doing math...(ewwww math) to figure out how to get things for free, and to get things half off. It just seemed so time consuming. The episode I was watching was about a girl named Jamie. She talked all about her family, and about how much toilet paper they go through, and things like that. Then it showed her in her "couponing" room, which was filled with file cabinets everywhere. After that, she went to the grocery store. She shopped around, and for everything she had a coupon for, she snatched up as much as possible. Then, she raced over to the overly nice cashier, handed her over 1,000 coupons, had a little problem, but then it was resolved by the manager being called. After all of that, the cashier says, "Your total comes to $1,902.63 without coupons..." then takes a dramatic pause, and continues.."and after coupons it come to, $103.72."

WHAAAAT?!?!??

How in God's name does that happen...?!? Saving over $1,000 on groceries, seriously?!? That doesn't even sound possible. Who even buys over $1,000 worth of groceries!

After all the congratulating, and the (seeming effortless) putting away of the groceries, they show her huge stock pile and show how they have enough mustard to last them a million life times. It is a seriously crazy show.

Well, I am not writing to tell you that I saved over $1,000 on groceries, or that I have enough mustard to last me until the end of time. I am writing to tell you that I was an extreme couponer.

This morning I woke up because, got the coupons from the back of the news paper that usually end up in the trash, and started cutting them out. I felt inspired! First I started cutting every single coupon out, thinking "Hey! Let's just get it!", then realising my mom probably wouldn't let me save $1.00 of blue hair dye. So, then I started reading the coupons and thinking, reasonably, if it was worth it.

After several cuttings later, I had all the coupons cut out and ready to go. I have never wanted to go grocery shopping this bad before.

My mom and I got camera ready (just in case we did save big! That way we were already ready for the camera crews) Duuuuhhhh. Then, we head out for our journey. Every aisle we entered we would grab a coupon, grab the item, and then high-five.

After all the coupon cutting, and all the high-fiving, we ended up saving a little over $80.00 on groceries! It was insane!

Saving $80.00 on groceries is not as good as $1,000, but I am just an Extreme Couponer in training.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Growing Pains

In the last few days, I have noticed a few major things in my life. From the title of my blog, you are probably thinking that my knees are hurting from growing, well, they're not. And, don't get my hops up that I will grow anymore because I don't believe I will...

But, anyways. For anyone who knows me, I am a very emotional person. I take things to heart. Everything. I am a crier. Personally, I wish I wasn't but, it's just the cards I was dealt. The last few days have been extremely emotional for me. I blame my emotions on the growing pains.

It is painful to grow up and now I am just realizing that. Every since I can remember, I wanted a family and to be married right away. Now, I am noticing how fast this year has gone, and how I can, in fact wait.

This year was really tricky for me. I switched to a different school, not knowing anything. Every time I think of the beginning of the year I think of a part from my favorite Dr. Seuss book, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

"You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked. A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?"

Well, I went in. At first, the streets were not marked, and some windows were lighted and some were dark, but, I adventured on, just like the book.

This week was the last week for the Seniors at my school. Watching them from the first day of school and thinking 'I can't wait to be them', I anticipated for that day. Well, that was before I developed growing pains. My growing pains made me realize that sooner or later, I will be in the same position the Senior class is in right now. I will go through my last day of school, my last day wearing a uniform, and my last day of high school. It actually really hurts to think about it. It hurts just like growing pains.

I have realized that I have never laughed and smiled so much in one year, it is actually unfathomable.

Everyday that I go to classes, I develop more growing pains. Everyday, classes get harder, tests become longer, and homework loads become voluminous. Every single day that passes, my growing pains add up, and by the time I am a senior walking through the doors of my school one last time, I will have enough growing pains added up in order to go on in life.

For me, that seems extremely scary. Entering a new chapter in your life, going into the unknown. Just like the book. Going somewhere, where the streets are not marked. It's just unthinkable. Some say it is not fair that we grow up, and I agree. I enjoy the growing pains that I have now, and I feel like I just can't take anymore. But, that's life.

So, bring on the growing pains. I'm ready.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sorrow To Suprise!

All week long, (starting last Monday) I had been in the worst mood ever. And, I am not just talking hitting my arm, and falling on my face. I am talking about being in tears everyday, always bumping into things, bad moods at every hour of the day. Now, that's what I am talking about!

Everything that could go wrong, was going wrong. I was beyond over powered by homework, I was behind on my research project, and I was assigned waaaaaaaay to many pages to read for just one night. On top of the school work, I had softball every single day, and because of that I didn't get home at a reasonable time. I would be up for countless hours finishing homework, and then get ready for bed. On some nights, I would notice as my head hit my pillow, that I was getting in bed at such an absurd times such as 12:30! I have NEVER, EVER gone to bed that late on a school night before. On Thursday, I felt like such a bad kid, I couldn't even fall asleep. I'm just a really, really bad kid...what can I say?

Anyways, after my bad week at school ended, I had the weekend to catch up on all my homework, and that is exactly what I did. I stayed in my room for eight hours straight, (minus bathroom breaks, and a little snack here and there), on Saturday and did my homework. THEN I was thinking that I had the rest of the weekend to finish my homework so I decided to take a break, BUT I forgot my friend asked me to go to the mall with her.

In a frantic, I woke up early Sunday morning to get the rest of my work done. I spent an additional three hours on my homework, and then I looked at my clock and noticed it was 12:30, and my friend was picking me up at 1:30 for the mall. Thinking about how much work I still had to get done, I almost cancelled on my friend, but I didn't.

When I was finally ready, I was waiting outside for my friend to pick me up. I see a few cars pass by, and get excited, but, it wasn't her. Then, out of nowhere, a limo bus comes driving down my street, and I did a double take. I look at my mom, who is now smiling uncontrollably, and I see all my friends running at me.

The limo bus took my friends and I to Niagara Falls, Kelly's Country Store, Mississippi Mudds, and Blasdell Pizza. It was THE best birthday party I have ever had.


It turns out that I have one of the best mothers EVER. To anyone who thinks they can compete against my mother, let me know, and we will arrange a challenge. She. Is. Better.

Thank you to everyone who helped out with planning, and keeping it a secret from me. It really was the best surprise of my life!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Extreme Writer's Block; A Disease, OR A Crime?

Hello. Yes, this is Amanda Mohler. I know exactly what you are thinking, you probably thought I dropped off the face of the earth or something crazy that would cause me not to write. I have gotten a lot of "Where are the blogs?!?" and "I keep checking, but, nothing is there!". To everyone who has addressed me in the past two months, I am sorry. I am going to try to keep writing during my insane life. Well, at least I will try!

I needed a way to show people that I was still alive, and just not writing blogs because of my severe case of writer's block. (It sounds like a short term medical problem) I am healthy! Just to be clear!

I promise I am going to start writing again, it is just hard between my school work, and softball, which is taking over my life! BUT, I love it. Absolutely LOVE it.

Ummm, nothing "blog material" has happened to me today, so I am going to ummmmmm, give you the forecast! Sounds like a perfectly good idea! It has BEAUTIOUS outside! If you haven't noticed, you might need to get out from underneath your rock. Go outside and get some nice fresh air, and a nice golden tan, because it will most likely snow tomorrow.

Well, I am going to stop writing because this is really unnecessary. I just wanted everyone to know I was still alive. :)

Blog you later!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Wait, You Are HOW Old?

Ashley is my little sister. Keyword: little.

I had many different names for this blog picked out, such as, Times Have Changed, OR, Eleven Going On Sixteen. But, I think the one I picked suites this blog nicely.

Anyways. Tonight I had the pleasure of going with my dad to pick up my sister and her friends from their "Crazy Friday Night Party". Actually, it was at an ice skating rink, but it was packed just like a party. When I walked in, I was expecting a sign out sheet, maybe a few friendly snacks, and a nice circle of middle schooler's singing songs. I now learned to not set my expectations so high. There were kids EVERYWHERE. Girls hanging off of boys, a few hugs in the mix, annnnnd,m one boy had his arm around another girls neck. The kids, well the word "kids" is not suited here. The kids-who-think-they-are-teenagers, were not in a circle singing songs, they were all in little clicks chatting away. The juice boxes they should have been drinking were substituted in with Red Bulls, and the sign out sheet was nowhere to be found. I thought I was in a club.

Some of the girls in this "club" were dressed in very tight, skinny jeans and sparkly boots. They had V-necks that met their bellybuttons, and jewelry that was a bit too flashy. First of all, when I was their age, overalls were the coolest thing. EVER. Second, my favorite shirt had a pony on it, not the words "Hollister".

When I walked in to this so called "ice skating rink", my sister and her friends were talking to boys! BOYS! As in males. Yes, I know exactly what you are thinking. "At their age?!?" I know, I know. Ashley always comes home and tells me scandalous stories about the people in her classes, relationships. "Oh, well so-and-so broke up with him because she wasn't in the same second period class." Or, "Yeah, they broke up. It's no biggie, she got a new boy." This is middle school, yes I know. And, yes, I am baffled too.

As I was bending over to take off my shoes when we got home, I slowly raised and looked up to a 5'6" girl. Now, me being 5'4", I was shocked. I keep telling myself I am going to grow in many ways, but I know I am not going to. This girl was tall, and very "chesty", if you know what I mean. I immediately rolled my eyes, and walked into the kitchen. Stop eating whatever you middles schooler's are eating, or give me some! I need to grow!

After that incident, I walked into the kitchen to get a drink. For some odd reason, they all followed me like I was their master. They were all staring at me with wide open eyes, which made me notice one girls eyes were very dark. "Are you wearing....MAKEUP?!?" What is happening? Does anyone else feel alarmed about this? I don't even wear makeup, and a sixth grader is? What. The. Heck. If they are only four years younger than me, then in four more years, second graders will be wearing makeup. And, then in the year twenty-thirty, preschoolers will be wearing makeup! It's basic math, and logic.

Ashley is my little sister. And, now she is my closely watched, little sister. Keyword: closely watched.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Papa-Paparazzi.

The other day while I waited in line to be cashed out at Walmart, I stumbled upon the magazine rack. Every time I am waiting in line, I always take a quick look to see what is going on in the "Celeb" world. As I look through, I notice that my favorite actress was faking a pregnancy, Lindsay Lohan is in jail, again, and my favorite celebrity couple is going through marrige "differences".

After reading all the juicy and personal details about the celebrities, I flip through the pages past the advertisements and the clothing of the year. I come to a stop at the section titled, "They are JUST like us!".

There, you see a picture of Justin Bieber getting pulled over, Lady Gaga tying her own shoe, and Taylor Swift steeping out of her front door. Oh. Em. Gee. They are just like us?!? That's absurd! After you get over how "they" are just normal people, you see pictures of Jennifer Aniston through her front window, making coffee.

As I stood in the middle of a check out line, looking at the celebrities only one thing crossed my mind.
"What would happen if paparazzi was taking pictures through my front window? What if TMZ really saw what happened in the four walls that keep me safe?"

That would be a problem.

I could see it now. My family would make the front page of every magazine in the check out line. People would be wondering why my little sister was standing on top of a table, beating on her chest like a monkey. Or, why my dad was running around the house screaming.

The article about us would be long, maybe a four pager. People would look at pictures of us all laying on the living room floor wrestling, or playing a heated game of Monopoly. They would be amused by the pictures of us all throwing pillows at each other, or how my little sister is on top of me. The next page would be about how my dog would rather have a treat over sitting and staying. Under that would be a picture of my dad chasing my sister and I around the dinner table with a spatula. People would laugh at our embarrassing pictures.

TMZ would make a fortune just on one family, alone. They would already have titles picked out for the articles to come such as, "The family who clearly has issues.". Or, "You thought your family was weird? Read this article!"

Readers would be amused by the pictures of me dancing and singing around the house. Or, the occasional "attempt" of the worm by my dad.

After thinking about this, I will no longer be looking at the "They are JUST like us!" page. I will keep my head down, and just nonchalantly pass my mom the groceries. I am glad I am not famous.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Blank My Dad Says.

As I was thinking about this blog overtime, it came to my attention that my title is a television show. Except the word "Blank" is substituted in for the word, well, you probably know what it is. And, NO! I will not say it.

Anyways.

The that CBS television show is about a struggling writer and blogger, can no longer afford his rent, so, he is forced to move back in with his father. As time goes on, the son can not focus with all the (insert bad word here) he says. This reminds me of my life.

My dad is a great man. He is brave, stylish, and very random. He says things one couldn't think of saying. Just like men, sometimes he acts up, which results him into becoming an eleven year old again. But, I am okay with that because 1. He says the funniest things. 2. All my friends are, like in love with him. And, 3. Well, he acts like a crazy person, and I like that!

Sometimes he says things like, "You young Whipper-snappers are just crazy with all your hip lingo. What exactly are you saying? It's just a mixture of random letters, BRB TTYL G2G. What? Can't you just say be right back, or talk to you later?"

Sometimes he will send me random pictures of things throughout the day with a message like, "I saw this car, and I thought of you immediately.". That message came with a picture of an ice cream truck. Like I said, he is RANDOM!

Sometimes my mom will say "Oh, I have to Whatchamacallit" and then my dad will answer with, "Ewwwww, that sounds gross!" Or, "Oh, my, gosh! That sounds like fun! Can I come along?"

Sometimes I will be in the worst mood, and he will "attempt" to cheer me up by telling jokes like, "Do you know why the chicken crossed the road?". I will answer, muttering "Why, dad?". And, then he just won't answer, or he will say something idiotic like "Because he did, stop nagging me!".

These are just some "Blanks" my dad says on a day to day basis. I'm not a writer who can't afford her rent, but I'd I was, I would probably ask a friend if I could live with them. If they question me about why I am not living with my parents, I will say "Because of the Blanks my dad says".