Here's To You, Toast Masters

We had a good, although short, run.

Toast Masters was something I used to look forward to every Tuesday. Not because I was all about enriching my personal speaking skills, but because it was always funny, whether it was supposed to be or not.

I think it was going with Stacy that really made it fun. Even though we would already spend 40 hours a week laughing and talking between our cubes, we always managed to bring that fun to TM.

On my last TM meeting we had a shortage of speakers, so I JD-ed it and did a speech on the fly. My first (and last) speech - The Ice Breaker. Simple enough, I just have to talk about my self for 5-7min and have it flow well and sound prepared. Luckily I like talking about nothing more than I love talking about myself! Only half kidding.

Looks legit. Let's do this!

 I decided to go with a basic time line starting with birth until that day. When it was my turn I was so nervous. I was trying so hard to keep my voice steady and breathing normal. I don't know why I get nervous. I had tons of great stuff to say, plus I know everyone in the group. A few people have even given crap speeches, so if they can do it, so can I...except Better!

Things were going well, I even got a few laughs from people other than Stacy. Then I got a little choked up when I got to the recent stuff - Andrew. I didn't go into detail about what happened other than he's dead. I felt like I had to reference him because in the beginning I told them I had two brothers. That was the first time since the incident that I had to talk about my siblings to people that didn't know. I felt like a liar if I said only one, or if I said have two. Naturally I went with the honest route. I didn't think I'd get choked up because I often talk about him without that happening. I think it was the combo of the tragedy and the nerves. I just hated seeing how they all looked at me and I didn't want to get a sympathy vote for Best Speaker.

Anyway, then I got choked up when I slipped in about how this was my last meeting and how much I was going to miss Stacy. I then confessed to the group that we were in love. It was a joke, but I'll get back to that in a sec.**

I wrapped it up with how even when bad things happen I try to find the positive and turn it into humor (sometimes dark humor) so I can laugh because that's how I deal with things. Many people would probably think I'm really screwed up if they heard some of the things I've said to B about stuff that's happened in the last year, but it's how I deal.

My evaluator had nothing but wonderful things to say about my speech. I was told about how at ease I am when I speak (tricked them!) and how they learned so much about me. The only improvement? Is to change it so that I don't have to leave the club.

Can you guess which one is from Stacy? Oh, and I'm glad that someone appreciated my sense of humor - def marking this up as a win!

Of course I won Best Speaker for the day. Duh. Otherwise, I wouldn't be sharing this story. And you already know that I celebrated a little bit. When I got my certificate and hand shake I made sure to tell JD that "It's always a pleasure." Then when I got back to my desk I may have said BOOM! while dropping the certificate on the table. I think this further offended the new girl that always gives me criticism for my feedback. Heller? Hope on the Jes train because everyone else thought I was a great addition to the group. Man are they going to miss my WOD...This is actually fact because they told me.

Toast Master Baller Status

**I've been at my new job for about a month, but I still email Stacy almost every day. Even though I love my new job and have great coworkers, I still miss her a lot! OMGS! This week Stacy emailed me this:

• So I am leaving Toastmaster and one of the ladies (the one that always wants to do speeches) was like how is Jessica? I was like she is doing well we email all the time. And she is like I miss her, you guys make the cuties couple.

Ummm....maybe they didn't realize I was joking about the in love thing. Probably didn't help that Stacy agreed when I said it. And the fact that we are always laughing and giggling like fools in love. haha.

And because I know you are dying to know what my evaluations were from me being an Evaluator and Toast Master:

 

Stac and I laughed at the hand thing because we always joke about doing Talladega Nights hands when speaking.

Again, which one do you think Stacy wrote?

Pretzel & M&M Krispy Treats

Basically I love Krispy treats. Love them!

I also love the salty and sweet combo of pretzel's and M&Ms. I had both ingredients on hand from some cookies I made the week before, so I figured why not add in some krispies and marshmallows and really get this party started!

Pretzel & M&M Krispy Treats

2c Pretzel
1 bag M&M (12oz)
2 bag Mini - Marshmallows
10c Rice Krispies (give or take(
2tbs Butter

**I like making a double batch but it's too much to mix in my bowl at one time. Cut the ingredients in half, follow below instructions, place in dish, then repeat with the other half of ingredients.

1. Melt butter & marshmallows. (I do mine in the microwave on 1min intervals, stir between intervals, but feel free to use the stove).
2. Slowly stir in Krispies, M&Ms, Pretzels.
3. Spray dish with non-stick spray, and pour in the mix.
4. let cool, cut, serve, become addicted.

The 5K That Didn't Happen

Yesterday was the first time I had signed up for a race and not run it...frustrating.

Friday night I battled the traffic for 1.5hrs to get to the expo and packet pick up in the Woodlands. The expo was alright, I got some (hopefully) pretty sweet insoles...they were out of my size so I had them ordered.

I thought the race started at 7:30a, so I set my alarm for 5:45 so I could review the parking info and leave by 6:20. Yeah, I got up, ate, got dressed, finally I opened the info to review, turns out it starts at 7! AHHHH! I was confusing this start time with my next race. I got in my car, went speeds that are not eco friendly for Matil the Prius, and made it with 5min to park and get to the start. Yeah, it takes more than 5 min for that stuff. So I turned around and made the 40min drive back home at went to Memorial park for 5miles.

Anyway, my run at the park went well. The temp was really nice and it was a little windy.

I ran to these songs all from "Born To Die" by Lana Del Rey:

• Dark Paradise
• National Anthem
• Diet Mountain Dew

Last month her CD was on the Amazon $5 list, so I got it after previewing a few songs, and I love it! It's all that I've been listening to at home, while driving, and working out this past week.

So yeah, you should totes buy it right now! Seriously!

Dr. Death

You know that moment when you are at the Dr. (or doing anything super important) and you are asked if you have any questions? I always blank. It's almost like you can hear a breeze blow in one ear and out the other.

But the minute I leave I come up with tons of questions I don't have answers for and I start to panic. The panic continues to grow once I hit up google to find the answers. And before I know it I'm calling my mom crying about how I probably have cancer and am going to die.

After a few health mishaps in recent years, I have realized that I need a list of questions to fall back on for when I leave my brain at home. Please feel free to use the list if you are needing a back up plan.

• How much is this going to cost me? (a very important question if you are in between insurance plans) 
• Am I going to die?  
• Could it be cancer?
• No really, am I going to die?
• Is this going away, or is it for life?
• So what you are telling me is it's cancer and I'm going to die?

Yep, that should cover it.

Baby Chicken, Baby Chicken!

B decided to go all out for Texas Independence Day (you know, before we got wifed up by USA) and bake some cupcakes since she found Texas wrappers at the store. She also wore her new Texas flag running shorts and boots. (How did this become my life?)

She's baking away while I'm chilling in the living room, when all of a sudden she starts freaking out! I'm talking screaming, throws something, backs up against the counter and looks scared to death! I panic and ask if she saw a mouse because she said she'd seem some around the pool (ewww!). She's kind of saying no, but still making freak out sounds so I can't understand her except when she yells at me to come into the kitchen. Yes, I would love to come in to the kitchen without having any idea of what awaits me. Great!

She finally starts using her words again to tell me that she cracked the egg and it had a baby chick in it. Apparently this has happened to her before, so she's pretty traumatized. She's too afraid to crack the next one so I do it for her...except it won't break. I'm freaked out and don't want to peel it back, but I'm also wondering what the odds are that this would happen twice in a pack. I throw it in the trash and tell her we're just going to get eggs from Adam because I only had three eggs.

She tells me that I have more in the fridge. I thought that was odd because I had three regular eggs in the carton, and then two boiled ones in the egg holder thing where I keep my yogurt. Turns out homegirl grabbed those two eggs and one from the carton...she broke a boiled egg, not a chick filled one.

OMGB! Way to give me a heart attack over a boiled egg!


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Happy Independence Day Texas! Last Friday we had Go Texan Day (it's a Houston rodeo tradition), so B thought we should bring it back again! Luckily it coordinated with Texas' Independence Day, so I sent this to the office:

March 2nd is Texas Independence day! Back in 1836 we officially broke out of our abusive relationship with Mexico (please take note Rihanna) and adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence!

Can I get a Yee-Haw?!?

In celebration, we are going Texan again!

Please sport your best western wear and get ready to learn the boot scootin boogie at 4:30p with a cold beer in hand...after all, that's how real cowboys do it!

Remember: Don't mess with Texas (by not participating in this glorious day tomorrow) or we'll mess with you!