Introducing Blue Bell Creameries, headquartered in beautiful Brenham, TX. Since I was a very young girl, I’ve always wanted to visit the place where my favorite ice cream is made. It really is a lovely community with a proper downtown, a few coffee options (Mescalito was fantastic!), and some amazing BBQ!
The tour of the ice cream facility ends with $1 scoops of Blue Bell. Life is so good. As we visited first thing in the day, ice cream was more of a breakfast option, which I think is perfect! Blue Bell is actually the name of a flower, which the founders of Blue Bell Ice Cream chose to name their business after.
(L) Buttered Pecan (R) Salted Caramel Brownie
We toured banks-turned-boutiques, museums, and even made a quick stop in Waco, TX, to check out the much loved Magnolia Market and Silos.
As the weekend capped off the return from VA and seeing my best friend, it was a whirlwind of sights and sounds. But the ice cream made it worth it.
It can be so difficult to make time outside of your home and work to reconnect with those friends who hold special pieces of your heart. But we did it!
My best friend, Sam
on the boardwalk where I almost died once
Just a few…a lot…of photos where we ate and drank our way through Ocean View.
There’s tons of other photos but we genuinely had the best time together. Beach in the morning, beer and shopping in the afternoon, and copious amounts of shenanigans in the evening!
I caught a crab!
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I ask you –
Have you visited the beaches at Norfolk, VA?
Do you have a vacation planned?
Tell me your thoughts about seafood! Love it? Hate it?
An oldie but a goodie from 2023! I’ll be back next week with new things and adventures to tell you all! Love, RoF
While mini was enjoying her summer shenanigans, McK and I were planning things for us to do. Because of our genuine love for mini, we decided to wait on a few things and take mini on a girl’s day.
First up – Lip Lab in Frisco, TX
Actually – the first thing we did was eat lunch at Bread Zeppelin (catchy, right?). Hands down, best salad I’ve probably ever had. Mini got her salad stuffed in a baguette, which is the entire concept. As I don’t eat bread like that, I just got a bowl but I can see the draw.
Of course we visited a coffee shop. McK and I have been following the multiple locations of Ascension Coffee for some time – the location we really want to visit is in a converted church. Alas, we were near the Dallas Cowboys stadium so that’s where we went instead. I got the Keto coffee. Amazing. McK got a latte and stated it was delicious, Parts had a Salted Caramel Cold Brew. She said it was very strong but the salty flavor was nice. Amateur.
Mini told me to make certain faces. I obliged but she seemed a little grumpy at my interpretations.
Finally, the lipstick details.
I have jokes. No need to comment on my naming convention as I’m utilizing scientific research that states your ideal lipstick color is 1-2 shades lighter/darker than nipple color. Hey, it’s science.
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I ask you –
Have you ever designed your own cosmetics?
Do you like salt in your coffee?
Tell me your favorite coffee establishment!
(The post Girl’s Day Recap first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
Definition: Cheap grace basically teaches that we can win our race without cost or commitment to training.
I read the above statement again and again. And again. And maybe again, too.
Some call it discipline, I rather think of it as escapism. My friend and neighbor came upon me walking one evening after I had spent nearly 90 mins working on a new section of my manuscript. He might see my walking the same stretch of roadway nearly daily as discipline when, in reality, it’s just a convenient path to unwind my mind and seek (literally) new words to bring to life this idea in my head.
Conundrum: I need access to a setting, a group of people for my study, yet I’m not certain how this comes about. Organically? Do I show up and sweet talk my way into their good graces? Cold calling? Exactly how does this happen, inquiring minds must know.
Unrelatedly, remember a previous post about getting kicked out of meetings for laughing too much? Real life possibility. Cue the most recent meeting where a group titled Pheasants Forever was mentioned. I snorted laughing. Later, thankfully after the meeting concluded, I asked if this was a real group. Indeed, it is. But better was the question by an equally funny coworker who asked “Do the peasants fly?” I nearly peed on myself when I retorted how peasants are people!
Anyway, cheap grace.
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I ask you –
How would you define cheap grace?
Are you guilty of engaging in an activity to seek escape?
Pheasants Forever – ever heard of them?!
(The post Cheap Grace first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
The intent was to share here how I competed in a recent Mini Triathlon. But you won’t be reading a recap as I decided the day prior to forego the event in lieu of keeping myself alive. Slightly dramatic but not by much. Originally when I considered it, the weather had been hovering around the 75° mark and it was raining near daily. Then, summer arrived. The projected high on the day of the Mini Tri was 99°. Despite it starting around 78-ish°, the humidity was rapidly increasing.
All this to say, maybe next time. It’s not worth chancing it. Nonetheless, I was out there doing director things and playing witness to the other able-bodied individuals with Triathlon goals. Base support was awesome, we recruited different groups of people to help facilitate the event as it spanned multiple smaller events and a large footprint. Personally, I love seeing our team get together and DO outside the office.
Team Fitness!
Also, I’m trying something new. I want to keep track of my weekly exercise activities and the addition of manuscript pages in an effort to see valued change 1 yr from now, when I project completing this doctoral journey. My plan is to add a screenshot of my weekly activities via the Garmin app with a numerical indicator of manuscript pages. (I don’t have an activity list for Wk 2 but I know I added 9 pgs.)
For example, the below was from Wk 3:
Additional pages: 18
Despite the fact these variables probably have zero correlation, it’s an interesting concept to me. I like lists and comparing things, although not typically numbers because I’m not number-y, I’m word-y. As it stands, I can’t imagine there will be anything to this beyond being able to look back at it, mainly because I don’t run/cycle/walk between 4-6am because that’s when I’m writing. Additionally, I don’t run/walk/cycle between 5-8pm because it’s either too hot, raining (as of late), or I’m working on my manuscript. Therefore, my work day is primarily when I engage in exercise so one rarely precludes me from doing the other, except on the weekends when I attempt to do both. Since I’m not tracking just the weekends, the data is mostly garbage stats. Thank you for listening while I worked all this out.
Nonetheless, it gives me something to look forward to so without further ado –
I’ve been running. Yes, it hurts. I keep forgetting about that part, until I do it.
On the bright side, Garmin says I’m 40% acclimated to the heat, which I know is definitely not true. Probably more like 14%. Nonetheless, it’s rained so often in the past 2 months I haven’t been out in the heat thus far. Only recently have I attempted to navigate the daily rain showers to make a conscious effort to go outside.
Perhaps I’ve forgotten to mention I’ve been sort of training for a mini triathlon. The sort of part refers to a general, well complete, lack of swim training due to a complete lack of available swimming locations. Unless you count the consistent daily rainfall and the fact the installation pools have only (until last weekend) been open on the weekends. Nonetheless, I can swim, so 250-something meters shouldn’t be too hard, right? Meh.
Working back up to a 20 mile week!
I’m genuinely excited to participate as I’ve never done anything like this before. Typically, I’m a single-plane type of athlete, unless volleyball counts as dual-plane? Relatedly, fast four volleyball has begun and I intend to join this week. More to come.
P.S. Someone should remind me about this run next year: Freihofer’s Run for Women 5k. The check in gift is a box of cookies and a loaf of bread!
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I ask you –
How has your weather been?
Have you ever entered a triathlon? To be clear, this is a mini triathlon so definitely less intensive.
Tell me about a sport you’ve always wanted to attempt!
I have never been more impressed with a keto recipe than this one for Cinnamon Rolls, courtesy of Keto4karbaholics.
Note: I did not add pecans or use the ChocZero syrup and I was still impressed with the texture, taste, and inability to eat just one.
I’m super. And I’m a runner. Does that make me a Super Runner? Technically, yes. But probably not in the same category as those people.
On the super subject, for Mother’s Day I received a cycling helmet and sunglasses so I guess it’s official – I’m a cyclist. Hahaha I’ve done maybe 3 rides and now I’m a cyclist. Looking and feeling the part is half the battle to conviction so I’m getting there! There’s an upcoming Mini Triathlon I’m considering participating in. While I know I can ride a the route and I can run a 5k, too, the swim isn’t so much my concern as the way the day will rapidly heat up. In discussing it with McK, the worst that can happen is I end up walking the 5k…or she picks me up and I ride back to the finish line. With no entry fee, there’s not much to lose!
I also found this event: Tour of the Wichitas. The route lengths vary from nearly 17 miles to over 50 miles and it literally takes you on a tour of Ft. Sill, LETRA, and the beautiful area near Mt. Scott. As it’s only about an hour drive from me, I was considering it but am unsure if I can commit 3 hours to a bike ride. Interestingly, why are cycling events so cheap?!?! $35 to enter?! The last time I entered a half marathon, it was at least double that. Granted, there is no price tag to the medical attention I have found myself needing, but still.
_____________________
I ask you –
Would you try keto cinnamon rolls?
Can anyone explain the cycling vs running price conflict?
For those who dabble in the cyclist world, share some cycling suggestions!
(The post Cinnamon Cyclist first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
What’s fascinating about the leadership role and a dissertation is the perplexing desire to convince others to care. Crazy, right? Dubbed the “significance of the study” section, the goal is to convince a bunch of strangers that your topic is both important to everyone, including you, and relevant to some issue in society today. It’s so much fun, I’m here to tell you.
Once I made my 15-week plan for this course, my appetite and desire to type tanked. Attributed mostly to allergies and the realization that mini is leaving soon on her TN/CA fun-filled summer adventure, I know I’ll be left with a lot of time on my hands to write. And write. And write some more. Although I’m looking forward to diving in and wracking up the page count, I’m also…meh. Pretty sure it’s just a phase though.
Lastly, what I thought was a phase has turned into a longstanding love affair with hot dogs. So sarcastic. I do not love hot dogs. I don’t even like hot dogs. I’m sick of hot dogs. Alas, I am in the hot dog business.
Those are my hot dog friends. And that’s a cooler filled with hot dogs. We brought the band back together for another hot dog escapade. The third, in fact. If I never see another hot dog, it will be too soon. I know a hot dog song and will gladly sing it for you.
The final look of relief when another course is completed. But, by the time you read this, I’ll have begun Dissertation I. The pre-dissertation course wasn’t difficult, per se; however, it was somewhat tedious. Communication with my chair has been one of the best experiences so I can see how that’s a make-it-or-break-it portion of others’ stories.
If you’re wondering what I’ll be doing this summer, well, there you have it. 15 weeks, then another 15 weeks, then a 3-4 week break, then 15 weeks, then…something. Defense, maybe? It’s a huge change from the traditional 8 week courses I’ve been doing for nearly 2 years. I need a plan!
Instead of making a plan, I forego any real responsibilities and eat ice cream. As Blue Bell is decidedly not keto, pick the battles well. Good thing this Snickerdoodle ice cream by Rebel was conveniently located in my freezer!
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I ask you –
What’s your go-to responsibility avoiding task?
How often do you indulge in sweet treats?
Tell me something great you have going on!
(The post Here We Go Again! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
I made a pink lemonade creamsicle with Sugar free pink lemonade, Jordan’s Skinny Syrups coconut, heavy cream and ice. Amazing!
I like jelly beans. I don’t like Dunkin. Didn’t buy them but was considering it.
Still recovering from Air Show. My poor feet took a beating. Once the chronic pain returned, I could tell something wasn’t right. There’s extensive bruising under and around my pinkie toe, as well as a large swollen area under the toe, nearest the side of my foot. It’s non-weight bearing and, early on, was causing pain on the outside of my calf. What now? So, short of religious usage of ibuprofen and staying off it as much as possible because right I’m totally on top of that then here we are. Again.
Also trying red light therapy for mini’s skin issues, as well as testing its claims to be great for healing. We’ll see how it works out.
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I ask you –
Do you like creamsicles?
Have you ever tried red light therapy?
Tell me your favorite brand of jelly beans!
(The postMaking Things first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
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