Re-Post! Tip Toe’ing

2nd re-post on this joyous Christmas week. Hope you all are celebrating, rejoicing, smiling, and taking time to enjoy the holiday. Be back soon!

…thru the tulips!

It’s a good thing the expedition called for tiptoeing because my knees are very bruised from volleyball but we’re undefeated so I can’t complain too much. Also, a day after turning 38, I managed to bust all the blood vessels in my middle finger putting the volleyball net away. Not my middle finger! I need that one! This is why…I have spare parts.

Back to the tulips, the Texas Tulips located in Pilot Point, TX. Only accessible about 6 weeks out of the year, it’s a fun getaway, one I didn’t know anything about until a few weeks ago. Spring Break presented the perfect opportunity.

I might have also overindulged in sushi and cookies. Both were incredible! If you’re in the DFW area, Sushi Axiom is one of my favorites. I probably should have taken a photo but I ate it all before considering the photo op. For the cookies, Insomnia Cookies is the way to go. Only available near college campuses, they’re open until 0200ish and offer delivery of warm, fresh cookies to your doorstep. Not kidding.

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I ask you –

What are your favorite flowers?

Have you heard of Insomnia Cookies?

Any idea on the origin of the word tiptoe?

(The post Re-Post! Tip Toe’ing first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Re-Post! The World Needs More Smiles

From 5 Feb 2024, I’m re-sharing to draw attention back to the this beautiful, strong, amazing woman who has no idea how much she has influenced my life. Tis vacation week on the island, so I’m soaking up the sun and celebrating Christmas with copious amounts of crustaceans. See you all soon.

This woman inspires me to sing louder, love harder, and laugh for as long as possible. The impact she has had and still has on my life is immeasurable. Her smile! She’s more patient than I could ever imagine being. I hope she doesn’t mind my use of her photo here because she is simply the most beautiful woman I know and I want to share her joy with everyone I meet.

These goofballs – we spend a lot of time laughing at each other and alternately rolling our eyes. The gnome addiction is real. Very real. I find myself searching high and low everywhere I go for unique gnomes I can gift her. To be clear, I’m speaking of Parts, not mini. Mini has a collection of a thousand other things, she does not need any gnomes.

Sometimes it can feel like the world is completely mad. But, make an effort to smile. It’s lifechanging.

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I ask you –

Do you make an effort to smile often?

Have you and (anyone) ever owned matching pajamas?

Tell me what things you collect!

(The post Re-Post! The World Needs More Smiles first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Break Time

As seen in a devotional, “…our human hearts and minds wander.” The premise was how our spaces tell a story of who we are, what we hold dear, and how best to utilize these spaces. As I have a full coffee bar in my office, I think it’s mostly clear.

After a particularly emotional day, a stranger told me I should give the equivalent of Ted talks to other women and mothers regarding some struggles. He believed I could write/share motivational stories, or even newsletters, to amass a following of people who need to hear how it is possible to overcome adversity. I was quite humbled by his words. Adding to my to-do list.

Reciprocate, not initiate. Not to be confused with the term “follower”. Recently, I read an Instagram post saying something to the effect that women step (metaphorically) after men do. In other words, a dance, so to speak, or a courtesy within norms of deferring to another, specifically, deferring to a leader in life, a leader of the home, a leader in the relationship. It was fascinating to consider how some believe the adage if you’re not a leader then you’re a follower. Words matter. Rather than perpetuating the old saying, if we reframe the words, then it more adequately explains the dynamics.

The past several weeks have been nonstop, and I fear I’m on the edge of burnout. Still waiting on ethics board approval so I’ve done little for my dissertation yet work and activities have monopolized my time and brain. I need a break.

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I ask you –

What story do your spaces tell of you?

Have the holidays been busy?

Share your thoughts on reciprocation vs initiation.

(The post Break Time first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

circa 1994

Some years are tougher than others. It’s been 30 yrs since my dad passed and this one sucked. Badly. Beyond being a scrooge and complaining about everything holiday-related, the I’ve-been-sobbing look just isn’t an award winning feature. No matter how “prepared” I am, nothing can stop the steam engine of grief. There’s not enough chocolate, or self care, exercise, or *gasp* coffee to vanish the feeling of loss. It sucks.

Grief looks different for everyone. This year was anger. Anger due to selfishness, anger from hurt, anger from words unspoken. Smiles don’t stop heartache. Sometimes I just have to sit in the pain. It doesn’t make me less or more than. It just means I’m feeling what needs to be felt. Tomorrow is a new day.

There’s no questions or comments here. Please know you don’t have to suffer in silence, or suffer alone. Always listening. 💜 Kel

(The post circa 1994 first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Productive Waiting

Merry Fitmas, everyone. The most loathed “holiday” to ever be. According to my spouse and child. It’s actually quite simple. For every day of December, each person must accomplish one physical activity and one chore-centered task. For example, a physical activity such as walking, i.e., a purposeful physical activity. Not the normal amount of daily activity. Parts tried. A chore is something outside of the regular day’s chores; also, going to work does not count. Maybe I made up the rules, maybe I didn’t. Thus far, I think we’ve all been incredibly productive albeit unwilling.

Truth be told, I don’t really like the holidays. There is a heaviness to the expectation to perform, decorate, volunteer, and smile through it all. I’m all about volunteerism – huge fan! But why can’t I just volunteer 11 months out of the year?

Waiting is also very expensive. I priced the software I would need post-research. $500 for 50 hours?! Granted, it’s the best on the market, I’m familiar with it, and it decreases my effort to transcribe dozens of interviews. Sold! Cost be damned. I’ll pay for convenience.

And, on this final note of paying for things, I purchased a voice recorder which uploads audio files – in this case, interviews – to my computer for transcription via the aforementioned incredibly expensive software. Again, convenience. See also expensive.

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I ask you –

On average, how productive are you?

How do you bide your time during long periods of waiting?

Tell me the most expensive thing you’ve purchased lately.

(The post Productive Waiting first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

DON’T YUCK MY YUM!

“Why yuck their yum?” – the phrase recently brought up while radio surfing. The book, also the title of this post, was written by Amy Pleimling who references gross and desirable foods. New to me, but the phrase was coined in 2013.

The radio question pertained to how long does a parent support their child in an activity the child is clearly not excelling at but is arguably something the child really enjoys.

For some, the monetary cost and time investment are determining factors in this decision. However, what do parents without these issues do? Let their child continue because it brings them joy? Or gently redirect to an activity the child may excel at? Is it worth it to partake for sheer joy? Who says lack of skill is a bad thing? Maybe the child isn’t headed to the Olympics, but it makes them happy. Besides, being good at something is subjective.

I’m not good at a lot of things, but I enjoy my mediocrity! Preferably hobbies including food. However, I am certain that goat cheese is yuck and anything with pepper jack is yum.

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I ask you –

Had you heard the aforementioned phrase before?

Were you a participant in an activity you didn’t excel at?

Tell me your favorite type of cheese!

(The post DON’T YUCK MY YUM! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Unverifiable

Randomly, my muse shared the story of Lucille Ball discovering the presence of Japanese spies via her dental fillings. Recognizing this information is entirely out of context, I implore you to Google it. I did. Somewhere in the past 30+ years, I recall reading about it but had forgotten.

Unfortunately, according to this article, the story as told by Lucy appears to be mostly anecdotal. I believe it was a possibility as others have reported their own dental fillings “picking up” sounds and frequencies. But what’s really the most interesting part of the article is the fact Lucy was investigated by the FBI. It appears we have something in common other than our great sense of humor!

Credit: via Instagram

…in other news…as predicted, the knee x-ray was unremarkable. However, once I was notified of the results via official channels, the scheduler almost dismissed my complaint. Her words were “Well, the x-ray was good so everything should be fine.” I said “Excuse me?! Wait a minute! I’m still in pain. The x-ray didn’t cure me!” Have you lost your mind? Now, someone else should be calling to schedule a CT scan or MRI. She did ask me some odd questions like do you have any more bullets in your body, and are you expecting any shunts. 1. More bullets? 2. I’m not expecting any, no. This saga isn’t boding well.

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I ask you –

Are you familiar with the story of Lucy mentioned above?

How hot is your preferred shower temperature?

Fact or false: dental fillings discover sound waves. Ehh I’m leaning on the false side of things.

(The post Unverifiable first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

The Big Easy

Thus far, I’ve been fortunate to travel to some new cities to explore, network, and learn. The annual 2024 Athletic Business Conference and Expo was held in New Orleans, LA – a city I am somewhat familiar with but hadn’t traversed via foot in quite some time. My previous visit was with Morgan from Oregon when we ran the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon, circa 2019. I believe my wingwoman and I gave it a genuine run for its money with our average 25K steps per day on this trip.

First, let’s get the serious stuff out of the way. I never felt unsafe; however, the changing atmosphere around us when the sun went down was palpable. I doubt the AB Show will ever return to NOLA due to its volatile crime scene. Several incidents were too close for comfort. All this to say, we’re fine and had a fantastic time tasting our way through the city.

New Orleans, or as the locals call it Naw-lins, is slightly above sea level, giving it a bowl-shaped topography. This marshy area is perfect for ancient live oak trees, swamps, and, my personal favorite, humidity. I arrived nearly healed from a cold/allergy issue, succumbed to the 80 degree, then 50 degree temps, and returned home with a mild case of laryngitis. Interestingly, this is typical when I’m around McK for extended periods of time. It’s a running joke now.

I digress.

The Food!

…was authentic. We tried gumbo, red beans & rice, jambalaya, boudin balls, chargrilled oysters, pralines (pronounced prah-leans), many beignets (pronounced ben-yays), a meatery board (I nearly don’t want to discuss this at all), and, in typical fashion, all the coffee.

We also caught up with work friends and many new acquaintances.

From Bourbon St. to Canal St. and all the way to Matairie to meet a famous food blogger (check out Blaine’s), we explored the city without boundaries. Maybe we return, maybe we don’t. But the memories last a lifetime.

enjoying a dinner of chargrilled oysters at Drago’s

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I ask you –

Have you been to New Orleans?

If so, what is your favorite, traditional food there? Beignets, absolutely.

Tell me your thoughts on a city that has seen the best and worst times.

(The post The Big Easy first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Bee There

Introducing Bee’s Rolled Ice Cream. I know I only typically write about coffee, but I’ll make an exception for the best ice cream in Texoma. It’s a large claim – trust me. This is the best!

And, like many great places, her ice cream is only available where she parks her truck! This adorable kitchen on wheels is a magical place full of sweet treats. Did I mention the founder is only 17 years old? Beautiful, smart, and an incredible young lady, the sweet Briady (affectionately called Bee) has dozens of curated flavors for patrons to choose from.

Somehow, I won a giveaway for 4 free rolled ice cream desserts. Seems the heavens shine upon me for giveaways. Remember the shoes for 20 years? I’m still living that dream!

L to R – Cookies & Cream, Peaches & Cream, NY Style Cheesecake, and Pistachio

Pistachio was incredible. There’s really no other word. Somehow, she managed to capture both the creaminess of ice cream with the subtle pistachio flavor. Cheesecake, and peaches & cream were also top hits. Mini loved the cookies & cream!

I’m sad I never visited before the giveaway. Like all great places, I tell myself I’ll visit but never make the time. I’m so sorry, Bee! Knowing what I know now… don’t be surprised to find me near the Wichita Falls Brewing Company between 4-8pm Fri-Sun!

P.S. Tell her Running on Fumes sent you!

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I ask you –

Have you ever had rolled ice cream? It’s divine.

Of the flavors I mentioned, which would you try?

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with light.

(The post Bee There first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Approved!

Normally, I wouldn’t give a second thought to anyone else’s approval. That is until I started a PhD. Now, approval is the primary motivation within the process.

Finally, I received dissertation proposal defense approval! Never mind it was while I was on a work trip to New Orleans (separate post forthcoming), experienced significant technical issues, and felt like I was under attack. Despite all things. I was exhausted, half-unwell due to a lingering cold, overwhelmed with the requirements, and was experiencing numerous other small stressors. But I did it. Now, I await ethics board approval, then can begin the research portion.

Below, from left to right: Cafe Bon Ami – Fourth Wall – French Truck Coffee

The photo collage above is a minimal reenactment of my coffee intake pre- and post-proposal defense. Trust me there was much more not pictured. And, as I have several months to go, the more coffee consumed.

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I ask you –

How many cups of coffee do you drink per day?

How often do you have technical difficulties?

Tell me about your guilty pleasure when stressed!

(The post Approved! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)