iTunes keeps creating new iTunes folder instead of using folder in external drive

I followed the directions for changing the location of my iTunes Media folder to an external hard drive.

When I put the original files in the trash and opened up iTunes, it

1. reverted to looking for the Media folder in its original location and

2. created a new (empty) iTunes folder

I now have two copies of my iTunes library, one in the trash (that I can easily put back) and one on the external drive where I want it to be (I even consolidated my library into this folder... so I have no idea why iTunes decided to start locating my folder back in my Home Directory again)