TGIMFingF

Last week was great.

• I Body Pumped with Jess.
• Had dinner with Kari, R, and Abbers.

Abbers

• Ran with Kari (if you could call it that since my legs are basically failing me at this point).
• Kari stretched and iced me after. I'm so glad she's a personal trainer. I wish she was always there to do that for me!
• I made the most delicious m&m cookies for my Sunday bake.
• and then on Friday, this happened:

Friday I had plans to attend Body Flow to get my last dose of Trainer Brian in for the week, but my work day ran long (OMG, working until 5? who does that?) and I had a massive headache, so I went home for a nap instead. My plans were to hit the gym then catch up on some Jersey Shore (super excite, I.Know.). Before I knew it Rick and Kat were here, we were all getting tatted up (I got a tit tat with kit Kat), and we decided to hit up Washington.

We started at Kung Fu (despite mine and Kat's protest), played some ski ball (I may have broke Rick's hand), but ended up at Ei8ht shortly after. Luckily 8 has cycled through and wasn't ghetto this time. It was back to it's former glory! We even met a Paul Rudd look alike, well, if P.Rudd was Italian. It was nice to have Rick with us so he could keep the creepers at bay. But then he left us to find some ladies and the creepers almost kidnapped us. Ok, not that bad this time, but still.

If you try to dance with me and I give you the head shake, please move along. If you then feel the need to ask me if I'll dance with you and I say no, please move along. Do not ask me again. I'm not dtf so you are just wasting your time. Also? I don't want to get molested by your hands. Thanks, but I'm dancing with Kat, so I'm good. One more thing, don't try to talk to me. It's too loud and I don't care what your name is.

I know. I know. WTF is with this girl? It's just that I'm out to have fun with my friends, not some random guy that thinks I'm cute.

Houston cab drivers did us dirty.

Houston cab drivers? WTF is with you? Why don't you know where anything is in Houston. And don't look at me like I'm crazy when I turn on my phone GPS and she tells you where to go.

Overall, we had a great night. I even made pancakes when we got home, and they were delish!

I went to Body Pump Saturday morning and it.was.rough. But surprise, TB was teaching the class! Yay! My whole body was so beat from our 3 hour dance party the night before that I thought I was going to die during squats. Ahhhh!

Monday Jes and I body pumped and she had had her tattoo in the same place I did. And that's why were Noah's ark buddies.

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How do you keep the creepers away?

Dear Diary: August Edition

Dear Diary,

This month went by so fast and yet so slow at the same time. It seems like forever since we celebrated my bday.

This is super long because there is a lot that I was too lazy to post about but don't want to forget about when I'm old.

I had weekly dinner with Kari, R, and Abbers. I met Kari at my first post-college job. She didn’t like me at first and even made me cry my second week, but things quickly changed. Soon we were spending our lunches together, getting mani/pedis, and emailing all day. Then she moved. We managed to stay in touch and solidified our friendship during the 2 years apart with our weekly weekend updates so that we could both stay in the happs. When she moved back we decided to quit the email and instead have our updates in person. This is great because I get to eat a delicious dinner, hang out with Abby, and share the baked goods she’s been reading about!

R, Abbers, Kari. (I jacked this from your fb, hope you don't mind!)

**Side story: Kari is a tad older than I am so she sometime switches from friend to mom mode (I think some of this came with her becoming a mom herself). Once when I went on a trip she would regularly text me to make sure I was ok and alive. When I got back from it and called to give her the update she answered the phone, "Are you safe?!?" Haha. I'm glad that she's always looking out for my best interest and she doesn't want me to be kidnapped. Thanks Kari!

Emma was baptised! Emma is the most perfect baby I have ever met. She makes me less nervous about having my own (in the very distant future), as long as they turn out like her. Every time I have been around her she is just wonderful. I have literally only heard her cry for maybe a total of 5 min. Amazing! The day before the baptism Cole & Brittany had a get together at their house for family and practically family (I made the cut after living with them for a few months. Best time ever!). So much fun! I love hanging out with C+B and their families. I wish they would adopt me in. Everyone is so nice, and Carla and Lacie are both so funny.

We ended the night with the usual guys vs. girls in Harry Potter scene it. I honestly don't know why they bother since we always win. Ok, except for that one time. When they cheated. Because they enjoyed too much wine. AND wouldn't play by the rules. Pretty sure that won't be mentioned after the severe beating we gave out. (Cole took the board away before I could snap a pic. This is from when we beat them in a different game of scene it. HP was similar, we are obvs in the winners circle but the boys were a few spaces behind where they are in the pic.)

Just like T-pain all we do is win, win, win, no matter what.

The girls and I had two Pole La Teaz classes. I’ll probably do a separate post on that. It was so much fun! (needless to say, you can often find me singing booty work while doing, well, booty work.).

B, Kat, and I attended a BBQ at Ewelina’s place. That was an experience. Apparently those boys don’t know how to grill. Next time I’m pretty sure the women will take over. Paul turned the grill on high, lit it, and left it open. If that wasn’t bad enough, the grill was really dirty so it caught on fire. The flames were higher than the grill lid. I basically smoked out my eyes when I closed it. WTF? They were also grilling the food with the lid open. WTF? This isn’t rocket science, it’s grilling! 

  

 This month (and most of Sept) Jes and I are going to Quality Life Fitness. We love BodyPump and BodyJam, and I occasionally peer pressure her into additional cardio via the elliptical (She does yoga before class, so I don’t always pressure too hard). We both prefer to always be in the same spot in our classes (which is the front) so much that Jes had to get a little raw with two people that tried to take my spot as I grabbed our mats. Who does that? You always see me there, and the spot is obviously being marked. Do not get in between the Jes-Jes and BPB bond. We both love this gym and might actually commit and join…that is after we finish the rest of our workout groupons we’ve been collecting! Plus, who doesn't want to visit the jungle every week?

  

I also baked stuff this month. Duh. This was a month of cookies. seriously, three weeks in a row. Check them out here! You might literally die from the pure deliciousness! You have been warned.

Grandma's M&M cookies

My absolute fave cookie!

of all time.

end.of.story.

If you've been reading this (and I know you have), then it's obvious that my grandma is the best. She gets a shout out in almost every post! (Hey Grandma! I love you!).

She makes the best of everything, especially M&M cookies. I.die.

I don't know if this is a made up memory or not (does that ever happen to you?), but I have visions of eating these and they are only covered with red and green M&M's. I don't know for a fact that Grandma made these around Christmas when I was little, but eating them makes me think of Christmas and Grandma's house. The two best things in the world!

I love the taste of the M&M's after they've been baked. I love the sweet with a hint of salt. I love that these cookies are more on the firm side, but not because they are overdone. I love everything about them!

I emailed Grandma to get the recipe because I misplaced it when I last moved, and she added this little tidbit in the email:

"Hope these turn out good, but with you making them they will be extra good."

Isn't she the best? And yes, they were extra good.

M & M Cookies

1 cup shortening                   

1 cup brown sugar                 

1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs 
1 tsp. salt             

2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. soda

1 1/2 cups (3/4 pound) M&M's (Medium bag should do the trick)

                                         

1. Blend shortening and sugars in a separate large bowl. Beat in vanilla and eggs.
2. In a medium bowl sift flour, soda, and salt together, then slowly add the sugar mixture. Mix well.
3. Stir in 1/2 cup M&M's.** 
4. Drop from spoon (I prefer a cookie scoop) onto an ungreased cookie sheet and decorate top of cookies with remaining M&M's.

Bake 375 degree for 10-12 minutes.

**Or, if you are lazy like me, you can just mix in all of the M&M's.

Can't you almost taste the goodness?

"I'm going to pee the bed."

Dear Taco Cabana guy,

I really appreciate the fact that you are working at a fast food joint so B and I can get some quick (except for tonight) delicious dinner when we are feeling lazy. I mean, someone has to work there, and it ain't going to be me! What I don't appreciate is you asking me for my order, I give it to you, you tell me to hold on for a few min, then ask me what I want again. What is that?!? Why did you ask for it if you weren't ready the first time?

TC guy: So you wanted a Big Mac, and a frosty?
Me: Seriously, you know this is Taco Cabana right? Let's go over this one more time...

I also don't appreciate you being high, therefor making you incompetent. Why did we sit at the window for 10 min waiting for our food. The parking lot is basically empty and there isn't a line in the drive thru...WTF are you doing in there?!?

That's great, but can I just get my sophapillas. We went over the order 4 times, how did you mess this up?!?

You kinda freaked me out when you got spazy when I kindly (seriously, I'm always very nice) asked for the sophapillas that I ordered but you didn't give to me. But thanks for switching out B's brisket tacos for the bean and cheese ones. It's not her fault that her eyes have failure to read the menu correctly at night. When we asked for salsa, we really appreciated your sarcasm when you asked if we would like refills for our drinks too, because we all knew that this simple transaction was taking wayyyyy too long.

And thanks for giving us 4 different bags for our food. We didn't order that much, but you sufficiently made us feel like fatties anyway.

See you again soon!

xoxo,

BJ House

No, But B might if you don't get us our food! B and Wayne Brady are like soul mates.

p.s. Way to go B for not yelling the F word at stoned guy! I'm glad that instead we just laughed at the situation. Otherwise I'm pretty sure he might have shanked us since he was probably on something stronger than pot. I'm glad we are alive!

And then we ended our evening with this weeks Jersey Shore ep, which was hilar and then some Mac time before B decided it was her bedtime.

Caaabbbbs are Heeerrrrrre!

It's Jersey Shore time once again! Thank goodness because I had been having withdraws. I can't wait to see what catchphrases they are going to teach us this season.

From season's past we have acquired:

• GTL
• Jersey Turnpike
• Blast in a glass
• Grenade
• cabs are here!
• T-shirt time
• dtf
• pulling a robbery
• and so many more!

I really think that B and I should get in contact with some MTV execs to see if we can secure a spot on the next season. (wait, I know they just wrapped the 5th season but I can't remember if they are doing more.) B and I would be great additions to the cast because:

• we are funny
• We have tons of catchphrases that America needs to hear about
• Funny things usually happen to us when we are together
• Instead of T-shirt time we have Taco Time or Mac Book Time. (I swear it would make good TV, it's when we get in most of our laughs).
• We love to dance and have successfully executed the jersey turnpike.
• plus we have new moves to share with the crew
• We would be the female MVP

Seriously, living in our house is like being on Jersey Shore (except we aren't slutty) but better because we don't have creepy uncle Sitch to creep on you. And if we did, B the enforcer would put him in his place (*slap hand*. NO!).

And yes, Pauly D is my fave. He's just so funny!

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What is your fave Jersey Shore quote?

Who is your fave cast member?

Trophy Wife Cupcakes - So good that you'll propose to me after one bite!

Truth.

So why did I only share these with the ladies at Recipe Klub? That was poor planning on my part. Better luck next time!

Al finally got to host RKlub at her house and it happened to fall during Tech Mandy's bday! Naturally I took over volunteered to make her bday dessert. Mandy's requests were chocolate, coconut, creme cheese, or all three together. That's easy enough. I figured I'd just whip up a chocolate cake and add toasted coconut to the frosting. I considered creme cheese frosting, but I haven't made any before and didn't want to risk it on the girls.

So the hunt through my billions of bookmarked recipes began for the perfect chocolate cake! I came across the Trophy Wife recipe that Running Off the Reece's had posted a while back and knew it would be delicious. How could I possible resist a recipe by that name?

**side note. Check of Reece's website. She is super funny and I know I would make her my bff if only I met her in real life. Instead I just stalk her in blog life.

Unlike being a Trophy Wife, this recipe is really easy and quick to mix up!

Trophy Wife Cake (or in this case, cupcakes)
1 3/4 c milk
chocolate cake mix
2 eggs
small box of chocolate pudding
12 oz. of chocolate chips (typically one bag)
1 can Milk Chocolate icing

1. Preheat Oven to 350.
2. In a large bowl mix cake mix, milk, eggs, chocolate pudding mix, and chocolate chips.
3. Pour into greased pan or cupcake pan with liners.
4. Cook time based on what box mix says.
5. 
   Once it's cool remove from pan and stick in fridge.
6. Ice it! I used caned milk chocolate icing.

Toasted Coconut
1 bag sweetened coconut flakes

1. Heat non stick skillet over medium.
2. Pour in coconut flakes (amount depends on how much you will use, I toasted 1/2 a bag)
3. Occasionally stir the coconut so it can evenly brown.
4. Remove from heat once it's fragrant and mostly toasted/light brown.
5. Dip iced cupcakes into the coconut and lightly press down.

Ta-da! Easy peasy!

I also iced a few of the cupcakes with rainbow chip icing (one of my premade faves!). Delish!

I shared the extra with my coworkers so I could continue my campaign to support obesity one cupcake at a time.

Quick Oreo Brownies

Kari finally moved back to Houston so I made my way over for dinner as soon as her mom flew home.

I was so excited to be able to hang out with her and Abbers in person instead of through weekly emails. Don't get me wrong, the Weekend Updates were great, provided entertainment, and kept us close through these two years of separation, but it's nice to have her here again!

Since Kari had been busy moving we hadn't emailed in a few weeks, so we had a lot to catch up on! When R got home from work he lit the grill and cooked some delicious vegetables and chicken!

After dinner Kari and I were talking about this blog and all of the things she wants to try off of it, especially the Oreo brownies. We decided to whip up a batch, but ran into the issue of the movers having not delivered her stuff, so her kitchen was bare and she didn't want to restock on baking things she would most likely never use again.

Solution! Quick Oreo Brownies. Although not as rich and delicious as the homemade version, still a pretty good substitute.

Quick Oreo Brownies
2 boxes of brownie mix
1 package of oreos

1. Prepare brownie mix according to box instructions.
2. Pour half of the batter into a pan (I believe we used 9x9)
3. Place Oreo's across the first layer of batter
4. Pour remaining half of batter on top and spread out if needed.
5. Bake per box directions
6. Enjoy!

Don't you just die at the deliciousness that's happening here?

Kari was impressed with the quick thinking and deliciousness of the treats! She probably would have died had she tasted the original.

Oreo's covered in brownie mix. Delish!

She texted me the next day to let me know that R said it's ok for me to move in as long as I keep their brownie supply up! haha. Very tempting!

Finished! I only used one box mix and that's why you can see my oreo's peeking out. It was still delicious, but I will use two boxes (as mentioned in the recipe) when I make this again.

Chocolate Wasted

Last Friday B and I went to the Katy Perry concert. If you were wondering how it was, then please notice that she didn't get her own posting...this is awkward.

Katy wasn't bad, it's just hard to follow up our last concert experience with B.Spears and Nicki. She was entertaining and sounded amazing, but we left halfway through.

After the concert we went out to Kung Fu (lame), then Ei8ht. B got into it with the bartender because he gave us the wrong drinks and wouldn't correct his mistake without charging us for both sets. I am proud that she didn't use the F word, but maybe if she had then we would have gotten it straightened out. After that the bar tender wouldn't even take our order. What is that?!? It's not our fault you can't remember what we ordered. And then they charged my card twice. WTF?!?

I think we broke up with Ei8ht after that fun experience.

Saturday I went to the pool for a bit and then Brit called to see if she could come over with Emma.

We had so much fun! It's crazy that she had a baby. I was with Brittany from about 3-midnight and Emma almost cried once. ONCE!
We played with Emma, fed her, cut her mullet off, and went to Yogurtland.

I was so excited to introduce Brit to Yogurtland. I finally went a few weeks ago and  feel in love with the chocolate milkshake flavor and was so excite to have it again!

Unfortunately it was a limited edition flavor that was gone. I even asked the worker just to make sure I didn't miss it. My heart broke. So, I went with Vanilla Wafer and piled it high with cookies and candy! Yum! We decided that the fun shouldn't stop there, so we went to HEB and picked up some NY Strip, veggies, and wine to take back to her house.

Once we got out to Katy I basically took over dinner. I prepared the tomato, squash, zucchini shishkabobs, the asparagus, seasoned the steaks, then stuck everything on the grill.

While the food was grilling I attempted to open the wine. The first corkscrew I used broke away from the part that you turn. Cole took over with their fancier wine opener. The corkscrew broke in half. Is this for real? We gave up and ate dinner. How was it? Awesome! Duh, because I made it.

After dinner Brit was ready to get her drink on and get chocolate wasted with chocolate martinis. I don't know what happened to Brit during her pregnancy, but I guess not being able to drink for 9 months made her want it even more. She was so funny.

Cole FINALLY got the bottle opened.

And then we played Harry Potter Scene It. There's no need to even ask who won, because you already know it was me and Brit. We basically dominate all team game that we play.

I told you so...

Remember that time I made S'mores bars a few weeks ago?

Remember how I mentioned my love of roasting marshmallows?

I found proof.

See, this is totally safe and normal right?

OMG! It's on fire!

One more Marshmallow roasting story:

My freshman year in college Kayla and I decided it would be fun to make smores on the balcony. It was so much fun, until my mallow caught fire! In a panic I started swinging it to put the fire out (obviously not the best idea) and it flew off of my stick and onto a cardboard box. AHHHH! I reacted even faster this time to put it out before it got out of control.

I haven't given up my love of roasting, but I have learned it's best to blow out the fire, not swing it around.

Surprise, you might have cancer! - just kidding.

Wait?

WTF?!?

If that's what you are thinking, then we are in this together.

Remember when I was sick a few weeks ago? No? Then you should a) visit my blog regularly and b) read a few posts back.

Anyway, I was sick for a week. When I went to the doctor they took a blood sample to check for mono. I was negative but things were funny so I went back two weeks later for them to take more. Then this happened:

nurse: Turns out you are anemic.
me: ok...what does that mean?
nurse: are you tired and lethargic?
me: (thinking about how I take a two hour nap almost everyday after work, and those morning and afternoon naps on the weekend) ehhh, a little.
nurse: We need you to come back for more blood work.

So I did. At this point I'm wondering if it's possible that they are taking so much of my blood that they are contributing to the anemia? Probably not, but it's something to consider.

I show up for my apt and the nurse tells me to walk with her to the lab because they need to get another sample and she needs to give me something.


I get there, sit, wait to be called to get my blood extracted, and the nurse hands me an envelope and says “read this and follow the instructions” and leaves.

WTF? Cancer?!?!?!?

I open it up, and the first page inside says this:

Great!

Then I turn it over to find this:

I guess that graph is supposed to make me feel better about how getting screened can hep my chances, but honestly, all I see is "YOU ARE GOING TO DIE!"

WTFityF?!?! Why did she not feel it necessary to even reference what this was about? Is this standard with anemia? Did they find something else? Do they think I might have it? WTF?!?! I feel like they are withholding info about me from me. It took me a sec to process, and by that time she was already gone back to her office.

They also took 6 tubes of my blood instead of the 3 they did the last two times.

I feel like I just got grey goosed.

Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten all of those strawberries. (A nurse told B that the little seeds on the berries can contribute to colon cancer and I had been eating them a lot lately). That morning I was just thinking about how I had some left and should eat them before they spoil. I’m thinking that might not be a good idea after all.

I'm obviously freaking out, so I call my mom to tell her the haps. When I get to work I am in such a crazy place in my brain that I manage to scrape the shiz out of the front of Matilda when I parked. I.die. Then I was freaking out because she's my baby and I just jacked her face up! OMG!

Loooonnnnng story short, I called the nurse that afternoon to ask her about the kit. And this happened:
 
Me: Hi, you gave me that cancer screening kit today...
Nurse: Yes?
Me: Did something show that makes you think it's a possibility that I might have it?
Nurse: Oh, no. (with a tone that sounds like I was cray cray to ever think that.)
Me: Ok, then wtf?
Nurse: I didn't want to say anything since people were around, and I figured you would call...We're just checking for bleeding so we'll know why you are anemic.
Me:.......thankssssssssssssssss.
 
Is she for real? You drop a cancer screening kit on me and just figure I'll call to see what's up? Have you met me? I've only been here three times this month. Do you not remember the look on my face when you told me I'm getting more blood taken? Does that look like the face of someone who will stay calm when handed a cancer screening kit? No. No, it's not.
 
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Had this happened to you, do you think you would have thought they gave you that because it's a possibility, if even the slightest, that you might have it? Or am I completely coco puffs?

Chocolate, PB, and Marshmallow Pudding Cookies

This week I wasn't really sure what to make. I went through everything and nothing sounded good. I guess I overdid it with the s'mores bars last week and I'm still on sugar overload. haha. I knew I wanted to go with cookies since I will be making Mandy's birthday cupcakes later this week (stay tuned!)

I finally narrowed it down to a few things and decided on these cookies. It was basically the marshmallow/PB combo that won me over.

These cookies were so easy to make, it was ridiculous! I found the recipe on Picky Palate. (You should check her out!?

The recipe makes about 3 dozen cookies, so I froze half the batter. I took the cookies to work and they were a huge success. Some people seemed surprised at how good they were, as if I don't have skills?

Chocolate, PB, and Marshmallow Pudding Cookies


2 sticks of softened butter
1/2 c sugar
1/2 packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tbs vanilla
2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt
4oz box instant chocolate pudding mix
10 oz bag peanut butter chips
1 1/2 c mini marshmallows

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a large bowl mix butter and sugars, then beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add to wet ingredients.
4. Mix in chocolate pudding mix, peanut butter chips, and marshmallows until just combined.
5. Scoop cookies onto baking sheet and bake for 10-12 min, or until cooked through.
6. Let cool for a few minutes before transferring to cooling rack. 

Is this seriously the only picture I took? I swear they taste better than they look!

After I put the first batch of these in the oven I received a phone call from my sweet B with a special request of peanut butter blossoms for my buttercup Rick. I was so kind as to make them with extra love.

I'm glad that I keep an emergency roll of PB cookie dough on hand (and people that that was crazy). I had already gone to the grocery that morning and didn't want to go again, so I used some extra choco chips to smash into the middle instead of the Hershey kiss. They turned out pretty delicious, duh!