Outtakes

This is episode one of a new series I’m beginning on RoF. As I’m now a great aunt, I have been accepted into the kingdom where all great aunts reside – basically next to sainthood. My beautiful, great Aunt Mary Catherine is the one woman I look up to, adore, and attempt to mirror my life around, lest her impact be felt any deeper than could be possible. Now that I have stepped into this new kingdom, I am honored to serve as a children’s church leader. Pump the brakes, Kel. Honored, yes. Serving, yes. Qualified to lead…children?! Never.

Monthly, and probably twice monthly, I will serve in this capacity for a group of young people between 5-12 years old. Surely I can be a wonderful role model. As long as buckets of grace are given.

Fortunately for everyone, I will not be alone. Safety purposes, for sure. ….mine. I am provided a helper, someone with more brain cells than I possess, more patience than Job, and an uncanny ability to keep me on track. This is funny if you consider I have always been the helper, never the leader. I was under qualified for that role, too.

It’s less than 90 minutes. What could go wrong. Statement, not question.

To start, things did go wrong. I was scheduled to conduct 3 scientific experiments: use an orange to pop a balloon, stick a pencil through a bag filled with water without leaking, and demonstrate gravity by dropping an apple. A trusty helper held the balloon while I tried every way to get that stupid balloon to pop. Nada. The pencil in the bag of water was successful until the pencil shifted and water poured out everywhere. Partial success. By the time we got to the apple, I knew I was in danger of losing a toe so I skipped that one and verbally shared how gravity works. Close call. I believe the youth were amused at my calamity of errors, but it was a rough lesson today. Nonetheless, I did my best to demonstrate how miracles may seem impossible.

Maybe next time I’ll read the lesson plan prior to start time.

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I ask you –

What did I do wrong with the orange peel? We tried the juice, the peel, the orange itself. It didn’t work.

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

Reading and To-Do List, in progress

Although I’ve already read the series below, I’m sharing them because they are really that good!

The Little Liar by Mitch Albom, a thought-provoking novel set during the Holocaust, chronicling the intertwined lives and stories of four individuals with Truth as the narrator.

The AJ Docker Series of 5 books by Gary Gerlacher. Imagine Harry Bosch meets medical nonfiction. Easy to read, intriguing, and can be read in any order. Thank me later.

Events / Travel in 2026

Run the Jailbreak: South Padre Island, TX

Handel’s Ice Cream in Plano, TX

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I ask you –

Of the list above, have you tried any?

Recommendations?

(The post Reading and To-Do List, in progress first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Coming out of the fog

Probably not a fully accurate title because, hello, brain fog. Although I do think it has gotten better. I’ve found if I pause a second longer and try not to be too hard on myself, then the full sentence comes with less effort. I’m also considering just acting as if I don’t know the English word by asking ¿Como se dice….(Insert thrown together syllables with a mild Spanish accent) in English? Really butcher both languages so everyone is as confused as your mental wiring.

What was the point? Oh right, Kel. The fog. It is a new feeling being fully present for mini’s return to school. I feel as if I unintentionally missed many small details due to being engrossed in my own academic journey. This is the first year in 3 I have not been navigating school when mini started back. Sadly, I don’t think I enjoyed her excitement as much as I could/should have previously because I was stressed about my own.

4th grade

On the drive to school, I asked mini what she wanted to be for Halloween. She was just as surprised as I was considering an event so far down the road pun intended. Last year, I couldn’t fathom anything beyond the following week. Now look at me! My mind was already in October!

Also, the brain vitamins sucked. Nothing new beyond a possible, mild placebo effect. Guess I have to do this brain fog thing au naturel. Copious lists and como se dice’s.

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I ask you –

How is the brain fog treating you? Or do we just call it forgetfulness and attribute it to old age?

(The post Coming out of the fog first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Back on my….

Scene

Parts, the Passenger Seat Princess, yelling at the truck in front of us while we’re merging onto a road where other drivers are merging in the opposite lanes: “It’s a yield sign, not a stop sign!”

Me: “Those people (referencing the ones on the other side) aren’t going to yield.”

Parts: “Well, if you just whip over in front of them, they will!”

Me: ….. -↓

I promptly removed my spare key from her purse. I think her driving privileges should be revoked.

___________________

I ask you –

What asinine advice have you been given?

(The post Back on my… first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

I’m Just Here for the Nonsense

Mini is headed back to school! When did school supplies cost $100?!

The Week Junior

From a magazine subscription – the more we teach our children about civics, the more able they are to be informed members of society. Minus the misinformation part of society.

Why make plans and submit calendar dates when someone will color outside the lines and get what they want, upending all your plans. Still a bit heated.

Final thought: High Will, Low Skill, i.e., someone who is willing and teachable yet lacks the current skill level to perform above the minimum. Other iterations: low will, no skill. For example, my running motivation lately.

___________________

I ask you –

What nonsense have you encountered lately?

(The post I’m Just Here for the Nonsense first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Winning!

Team Fitness for the 2QTRCY2025 squadron award!

(L-R) Lt Col Camacho, McK, Britt, Phillip, Aislyn, Kel, Luli, Darrell, Quinn, SMSgt Duritsky

The same week of the awards ceremony, we departed for our annual summer trip to South Padre Island!

I tried to host a staff meeting but only mini showed.

The food –

Finally, I must mention Chilo’s Cheesecakes. Chilo and his beautiful wife, Regina, are bakers. A few years ago, I tried one of his cheesecakes at a restaurant on the island. Someone mentioned you can find all his flavors at their storefront on Port Isabella. Alas, I got busy and never went. This time, I made it a point to stop. Terrible idea.

Six pieces of cheesecake and $50 later, I exited with goodies intact.

The photos aren’t great because I couldn’t wait to sample the cheesecakes. In no particular order, I purchased: Pistachio, Pina Colada, Cookies & Cream, Key Lime Pie, Key Lime Cheesecake, and Lemon Blueberry.

So now I’ll be dreaming of going back to Chilo’s for more cheesecake. Winning!

Final thought: entirely random Have I ever mentioned the time Parts called me and immediately asked me if I remembered the name of the coffee shop I like to go to near my alma mater and I excitedly replied Yes! I thought she was going to bring me coffee! Instead, she said she’d been in an accident and needed me to come. I felt really bad for my initial reaction. Definitely not winning sister award for that debacle.

_________________

I ask you –

What are some of your latest wins?

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

Batman & Robin 2.0

I promised myself when I graduated, I would take the summer to enjoy things outside of the usual work/home/repeat. But I wasn’t convinced it would be this summer because…what if.

Fortunately, everything worked out as designed.

Girls Trip 2.0 was everything I needed and more. Last year, we re-explored Norfolk/VA Beach, Virginia. This year, we invaded Gulf Shores, Alabama. From the food to the friendship to the sand and sun, Sam and I had the best time. Minus the little snafu where my car got towed at the condo. Whoopsies! Suffice to say our 12 year friendship is standing the test of time. Ask her about the time her car got towed at our apartment in Norfolk.

We ate and drank our way through several days. Although incredibly crowded, Gulf Shores offers something for everyone – adults and children alike.

I would be remiss not to mention our fun neighbors, Thelma and Louise. We really have no idea their actual names because it kept changing. Witness protection, anyone? They had their own stories, problems, lives, and interesting perspectives. People are fun.

We have a few ideas for next year’s trip. Our m.o. tends to involve beaches and water. Already looking forward to it!

_________________

I ask you –

Any suggestions?

(The post Batman & Robin 2.0 first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Re-Post! Peace in your heart; Laughter on your lips

Re-post from March 4, 2024 – please enjoy while I’m out of office, out of my mind, out of…money whilst eating all the gelato!

‭‭Isaiah 55:11 NIV‬‬
[11] so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

The Scripture above is Jesus speaking; however, what if we spoke with this in mind, that each time words exited our lips, we fully understood our words have power to speak life, or death, over others. In a society saturated with people speaking and giving opinions, sharing with intentional life isn’t as prevalent as one would hope.

Lately, I’ve struggled with focusing on one task. I’ve been pacing, mind racing from one thought to another, unable to keep up with the flood of to-do’s. For a moment, I considered maybe this was a late life onset of ADHD. I’ve heard sometimes anxiety is mistaken as ADHD and vice versa – what if that was true for me. But I think I’m just feeling the magnitude of ending the preliminary portion of the dissertation process and considering what the next year will look like. Somehow it’s already here, what seemed impossible in 2022 is now in its final stage. It’s difficult to wrap my mind around that truth.

Focus, Kel. Trying to soak in all the things before writing takes me away from it is unfathomable. However, I did attend a game night where I managed to win at Rock/Paper/Scissors. First try, no less. Yes, I’m bragging. Funnily, when it comes to competition Rock/Paper/Scissors – I always win. No lie. Well….I’ve won 2 “competition-style” matches, if you will. The first was for a third martini flight which I absolutely should not have had, mostly because I was already 8 martinis in and definitely did not need 4 more. Consequently, I don’t remember much about that night except winning the game for another flight. Weird.

Any Way – focus, will you – I won a Starbucks gift card to fund my coffee and winning habit. Not a bad night. And, of course, my name tag says Parts. And, of course, hers said Spare Parts. Because all we do is laugh together.

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I ask you –

What does peace in your heart look like to you?

Have you ever been on a winning streak?

Tell me about your favorite game! Spoons.

(The post Re-Post! Peace in your heart; Laughter on your lips first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Vacation-itis

The plan is to sort through the dozens of blog draft posts, partially-completed thoughts, and odds and ends within the messy spaces of my mind. Soon.

I’ll do a recap of my favorite races, runs, and generally well-thought-out fitness activities I’ve completed. Soon.

I’ll diligently apply for instructor/academic professor positions to gain a foothold within academia. ~~Soon.~~ Hey, I did this one! Upwards of 10 applications, but I guess whatever it takes.

On the hunt

I believe I’m suffering from an easily-cured but often recurring illness titled if-I-don’t-see-the-ocean-soon-I-might-not-make-it, commonly known as vacation-itis. It seems to hit around this time each year. It’s punctual. Fortunately, in keeping with my original plan to enjoy the first summer post-PhD, I scheduled numerous trips to combat the worst of the symptoms. In June, there was San Diego. Soon, there’s an actual girl’s trip to Gulf Shores. And, then, a week later, is the annual foray to South Padre Island. I have visited more bodies of water this summer than all previous summers combined. I don’t really know if this is true. I’ve spent time at pools, water parks, and large showers. And I’m not done yet!

There were a few days of moodiness, but I believe I’m on the mend. Especially when I consider how much summer fun is remaining!

_________________

I ask you –

Do you suffer from vacation-itis?

(The post Vacation-itis first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Defining Moments

I am sure everyone has small, unsuspecting yet defining moments to reference who/why they are the way they are. The title came to me when considering mini’s recent dance recital. Subsequent thoughts traversed from her love of dance and performing arts to my lack thereof. Instead, I thought back to a moment where I stood on a makeshift stage, speech in hand, ready to convince my entire middle school I deserved to be elected into the student council. I recall spending days forming my speech and reading it to my dad. It was good. If I do say so myself.

But after 2 students ahead of me, listening to their brief and not entirely convincing schpill, I second guessed myself. When it was my turn, I said my name, said please elect me, and quickly exited. Talk about disappointment. When my name was not called for the electees, it was no big surprise. But it was at that moment I knew I would not minimize myself again for something I truly wanted.

Hip Hop

Fast forward. A singular moment in time shaped me. Just as you, loyal readers, have similar (or vastly different) experiences, these moments shape, erode, and refine. It’s fascinating how one experience can have lifelong effects. Mini will seemingly always love dance. She’s good at it, and if dancing doesn’t take her where she wants to be, assuredly her sass will.

Credit: IG

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I ask you –

Share a time you didn’t bring your A-game.

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