Awhile back, my boss requested I add “Drive By Discussion” to the calendar with a list of people to meet with. So I did. But for the remainder of the day, I was met with “why would you write that?” or “did she really say that?” Yes, yes she did. Clearly I Amelia Bedelia’d it. Accidentally on purpose. It was just too funny not to take advantage of. No sense of humor, I tell ya’!
Anyway, as I took a weekend to complete my own drive by of others’ homes and yards and gardens, the gorgeous Texas photo opportunities were limitless. Hope you enjoy. And, if not, oh well.
the tiniest, sickly looking flower on the bottom right was in my yard, of course
For someone who can’t keep one plant alive, I sure enjoy looking at the fruit of other’s hard work. Too bad horticulture and the like aren’t inherited. Consolation prize. I got humor!
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I ask you –
What’s your thoughts on drive by’s? Not funny?
Have you ever stolen plants from someone else’s yard? I thought about it!
I’ve been studying a daily devotional called No More Unglued Mama Mornings. This 5-day plan may very well be one I go back to again and again. Thus far, my favorite line has been – “I can’t own this situation and let it throw me into frantic, fix-it mode. I let the consequences of their choices scream, so I don’t have to. I have what it takes to be the mom!” I am the mom! It references “immature leadership” many times and I feel so drawn to those words because if those words aren’t pointing directly at my mini, next to stubbornness, nothing else is.
Driving to the school to register my mini for kindergarten, I felt the familiar stirrings of anxiety unchecked. No need to ask why. It was quite apparent to even oblivious me. My sweet girl has been concerned about not being able to make friends, what to do if/when someone says something mean to her or her friends, and many other uncertainties concerning being social. May I remind you: she is a social butterfly and has never met a stranger so I feel this whole situation is mute. Nonetheless, I hear her fears loud and clear.
Because – big reveal – I’m having the same ones. As ridiculous as it may seem, I’m dreading having to interact with her classmate’s parents. My problem (well, a laundry list of them) is I am an observer, a flower on the wall, a sit in the back and wait for it type of girl. So my butterfly baby forces me to take center stage and jump right in. Why couldn’t I be blessed with RBF? You know, resting b**ch face. Then I could quietly blend in. Oh, and I’m a brunette which naturally makes me more approachable. Research it. Truth. I’m doomed.
the face that screams “come talk to me!”
In related news, I am already good friends with the mom of another young lady who will also be entering kindergarten at the same school and I do know the mother of a young boy in the same situation. With 3-4 kindergarten classes, I don’t know the chance they’ll all be in the same class but it did make me feel better knowing I know a few parents there.
In closing, I leave you with this: yesterday’s mess can become today’s message!
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I ask you –
Are you approachable or considered standoffish?
How often do you feel unglued?
Care to share your favorite motivational statement?
How do people have time to binge shows? Maybe I’m doing this all wrong. One of my favorite radio shows plays a game where the hosts have to guess what show it is based on clues, like theme song, date it aired, etc. I never get the show right presumably because I haven’t watched any of them. Hahha presumably.
Is this a time management issue? A priority issue? I do like television. There are shows I enjoy so what’s the deal?
Feels like I never have enough hours in my day for hobbies. For me, a schedule is like a chessboard where each piece has its place and I try to fit checkers into the empty spots. Plug and play! Sometimes it’s an ‘oh crap, I need to paint my toenails’. Then there’s the ‘did I send out thank you cards yet?” No, those are still sitting atop your laptop. Other times, and this is my favorite, ‘I have a blog idea!’ so I rush off to write it down before it ends up in a forgotten heap.
in case you thought running was glamorous
To hear others tell it, failure is a good thing. Check out this article about goals. The process of achieving a goal is perhaps more important to long term success than actually achieving the goal. So all the training, all the extra required sleep, all the fretting is worth more than crossing the finish line. This is why I’ve decided to nix the race at the end of the May. A different opportunity has presented itself and I know full well if it happens sooner rather than later I won’t be able to do both. Promise I’ll fill you all in when the time is right. For now, I’m still following the training plan for the most part; with the weather getting warm quickly, I’m doing the best I can to listen to my body and plan for the days ahead. By faith, I’ve been able to run faster than I’ve ever run before nearly this entire cycle. Amazing what you can do when you let go.
Sometimes I discover I’ve let draft posts sit much longer than desired so I slink back to them, apologize profusely, and edit until I love them. It’s been at least a year since we traveled through Saint Jo, Texas, population 12. So the year is probably correct, but the population may be off by, like, 4.
A true and proper town square cannot be beaten. It’s one thing to point someone to the downtown area, but to say you have a town square is reminiscent of Civil War-era canons and ball gowns covered in tulle. Only the itchiest of fabrics were acceptable.
Though I wasn’t able to go inside to evaluate the vintageness myself, when I peeked through the windows, it looked to be a small shop meets flea market. I’m not one to wax poetic, but I do love a good market! Especially if it’s been upgraded with a coffee shop!
Christmas time
Decorating the town square should be a citizen-led event; a right of passage, if you will. When I was a young girl, our tiny 1A school would have a Christmas parade through the center of town near the tomato shed. Don’t laugh. The tomato shed was iconic. It was where a platform stood that had long ago been used by people to rest on while waiting for the next train. Nothing beats driving through a small town to see how decorated and festive it is at holidays.
Can’t say I’ve ever met Howard, but he must be royalty to have his name on the theater’s marquee.
sweet tea and long talks
Located right outside of the “Vintage Market”, a place where folks can meet, talk, and decide on what movie to see next. Remember how in the movie Titanic, they continue to flash back and forth between what it looked like at the bottom of the ocean and how it might have looked while setting sail? My mind envisions a lovely couple sitting here, coffee between them. Or perhaps strangers passing between towns. Or even me.
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I ask you –
Do you ever think about what small towns might have looked like eons ago?
Were you raised in a small town? Tell me about it!
Just like any good slogan, I think town squares are for memories.
Check out Embrace the Chaos’ post. Any one of her suggestions familiar?
Some ship’s XO whose name I can’t recall (the ship or the XO) has a reading list so when one of the Sailors mentioned this book I knew I had to get it.
Then, whilst perusing books at the local big box store of rambunctious children and other questionable characters, I stumbled upon the below gem of pulverized tree material. This series is so much fun! My best friend got me hooked when she offered me the first book to read only a month before I left for boot camp.
Sixth and final novel
I’m also a huge fan of anything in JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, but they’re a bit smutty so maybe skip it if you have reservations. Smut is such a funny word. McKenna something-or-other is also really good, but those are the smuttiest of smutty. Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series can’t be beat. Unless you don’t like laughing until you cry. Which I do. After I finish what I have on hand, it’s time to head to the library because I heard Michael Connelly has more Bosch novels out. I’m so excited I could scream!
Now here I am surrounded by books. And not a bookmark in site. I’ll search for it later.
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I ask you –
What’s on your summer reading list? I need more ideas.
Do you typically order books online or find them in store?
Choose one and tell me why: books or movies? Books! Because the imagery comes alive in only my mind.
I’ve finally got it! My next creative writing project will be titled “From Bed to Tread” and will feature the catchphrase similar to this – Today on From Bed to Tread, we’re going to show you things you shouldn’t do! Bonus points if you read this in your best Robin Leach voice. I didn’t realize he had passed in 2018. Looks like you have a chance to continue his legacy then. Good luck!
Even though I’m able to extend my lunch to total about 90 mins, it’s to the point where I need between 90-120 mins to complete my runs. First world problems. And since Texas is beginning to do what Texas does (aka get hot) I’ve started getting up around 5am to be out the door about 30 mins later. No wonder I’m tired at 6pm.
always my baby
Since mini will be leaving me for a 10 week Tennessean adventure soon, I’ve been brainstorming some summer goals/projects/etc. If you thought I was about to share them here, you’re wrong. I haven’t come up with anything yet. Yet. I want to return to a full keto routine which isn’t really that hard. Just do it! I’d like to read as many books as possible. I also want to ride my bike more than once every two weeks. Hashtag training problems.
Of course all of these things will be post-Memorial Day. From the moment I decided to only run 1 half marathon vice 3, I’ve felt overall more relaxed and prepared to run. The ability to incorporate more rest days into the week instead of running multiple days in a row has been calming. Even my resting heart rate has decreased. I was constantly feeling guilty for taking long lunches toward the end of each week because I my weekends were super busy with family and 5 yr old activities so I was juggling running midway through the work day. Or getting up very early and being unable to go to bed earlier to counteract it. Although I fully realize this is a decision I willingly made, balancing what I love to do and other priorities in life is really hard. Soap box, I’ll stop now.
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I ask you –
Do your plans change from summer to winter? In what way most often?
Would you rather get up early or go to bed early?
Tell me your optimum lunch period! ex. 30 mins, 1 hour, etc.
Actual conversation with my mini while working from home aka sitting outside in the sunshine, computer in lap:
Mini: Look, Mom, these are my babies! (pointing to 3 swings on the swing set)
Me: 3 kids?! How do you keep up with all of them?
Mini: I don’t know. This one is named dirtbag.
Me: Honey, that’s not kind. Dirtbag is a derogatory name for someone who is acting dumb.
Mini: Well, that baby is dumb!
And this, friends, is just another example of why I’m unqualified to be a parent. To my knowledge, I’ve never used the word dirtbag around her yet she did use it in the correct context. Minus the baby reference.
a new theme!
Then a few days later, mini was outside yelling at the top of her lungs. When she returned inside, I asked what it was all about and she said squirrels were stupid. After giving her the mandatory ‘we use kind words and stupid isn’t one of them’, I showed her the photo below. The look she gave me was one for the record books. Are you stupid?
Mr. Interesting
Lastly, it seems I’ve been watching too much Pioneer Woman (mini adores this show). As I was working on the blog in the wee early morning hours, I had an urge to make jams and jellies immediately followed by this thought: Kel, you know that emoji with the wide open eyes and incredulous look? Yeah, bad idea.
Also, I’ve changed my mind about the Texas Triple. Specifically, running 3 half marathons back to back. More specifically, 3 half marathons back to back in one weekend. It’s starting to get hot and I’m somewhat worried about what I’ll feel like. Since I can’t predict the weather. Then there’s the toll training is taking on me and my feet. My poor, beaten feet. Feet issues aren’t new, but the constant pain is draining. All this being said, one good thing is my desire for a shiny new PR! I want to run a fast race; why shouldn’t it be sooner rather than later?! This particular training cycle has really shown me what I can do. And I’m going to capitalize on it!
So I guess I better get started re-working my training plan to account for some extra days. Suddenly I find myself with extra time on my hands.
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I ask you –
How much coffee do you drink on average per day?
Fan of chalk?
Taking bets on a PR time improvement goal! Dec 2019, I had a 10 min PR. Goal is another 10 mins in 2021.
Trying to go to sleep many nights ago, I remembered when I feared I had a stress fracture. Because bedtime is the perfect time for your brain to think about…everything. At the time, I was routinely wearing steel-toed boots for my job as a government contractor. Those suckers are heavy! Pretty sure the boots hadn’t caused the possible injury, so I was looking for other reasons. Mileage and running were the culprits, in my mind.
Stretching with my shadow
Some weeks went by and as I was contemplating finally calling my doctor I realized the problem. As a right-side sleeper, I typically lay with my left leg over the top of my right with my left heel wedged firmly into the top of my right foot. Exactly where the pain was. Once I made a conscious decision to move my feet away from each other, the pain subsided within days.
So what exactly is the point of this jog down memory lane? Honestly, I don’t remember anymore but I’m sure there’s a lesson here somewhere.
Now it’s coming back to me! My coworker recently shared women should be getting their first mammogram around age 35. Wait. I’m 35. So now I need to remember to call my doctor. At least the coworker said colonoscopy screening is near age 40. Small favors. You can bet I’ll be sharing all those details.
Again, I digress. Seems the pulled ACL/MCL issue I’ve been toying with for many months now may be caused by none other than yours truly. Shocking, I know. When I’m sitting or have my legs up – which I do often – I tend to cross my feet at the ankles, left over right. This position places strain on my inner right knee which is exactly where I develop bruising and pain especially as training mileage increases. Coincidence? Ha!
1 of 5
So here we are to this point. I’m attempting to keep my legs in their proper places. Preferably not kicking anyone, although I did take a knee to the shin one night and considered it. Next thing you know I’ll forget where that bruise came from because middle 30s and all.
Final thought: speaking of old age – today is my sweet baby’s 5th birthday. It’s so hard to believe because I could never imagine this day. Everything about her pushes me to be a better person. Even when it’s not-so-sweet qualities. She knows my every button, my every weakness, my every desire for all good things in her life. Yet she tries me still. She tree, me apple.
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I ask you –
Do you self diagnose or make an immediate appointment with professionals?
But it doesn’t mean it won’t hurt your pride or your feelings.
Let me back up a little. I’d found myself so accustomed to weeks of great runs that it was bound to happen yet I still wasn’t ready. Who is ever really ready? Maybe the signs had been there all day. Kel, they were there. I took it easy, stayed off my feet, ate like I should, did all the things. Yet something felt ‘off’.
So a few steps into mile 1, when my calves cramped up and began to burn like hell’s firecrackers and my hamstrings didn’t dare let my calves have a party without them, I knew I was in trouble. May I remind you – this was only mile 1. Of 8!
Return of the jellybeans!
It’s not unusual (read: it happens more often than not) for mile 1 to give me issues. Rather I believe it’s my brain struggling to accept what I’m doing. I usually power through it, find my stride, and keep on moving. Somehow this was entirely different. When I began to hobble and parts of my body began to bounce that don’t normally bounce (that’s a picture, isn’t it), I knew it was time to make a big decision. A) Continue with an altered gait and possibly do damage or B) Call it and go home to cry.
In true dramatic fashion, I silently drove home and felt a few tears fall while I massaged, foam rolled, rehydrated, and rested my weary heart, I mean legs.
Ice cream is my cure all that ails me
Being able to say ‘when’ isn’t a lesson that comes naturally. It’s a struggle in humility. Or desperation. However, good things come of humbling yourself. Like re-working your schedule to add a missed run on the backend, just like you designed in case of situations like this because your brain knew sometimes… you’ll have to say when.
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I ask you –
How hard is it to admit your pride has been bruised?
Do you consider yourself to be a dramatic person? I’m only dramatic in story telling.
Running on Fumes 
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