Staples in the Fabric of Life

Believe it or not, I am the type of person who does not do well with change. Which is comical because my work life constantly changes. It drains me. And it takes me, what feels like, days to process change. When I began my work with the Air Force in 2020, I would listen when others said they would retire in 20-whatever or in (insert number of) years. In those moments, it didn’t resonate.

Now? With the past 4 years fraught with retirements, it has become another point of change I must take time to process. Because these are no longer people whom I didn’t really know. They’re…friends. Beacons in my workplace. Coworkers with vast amounts of knowledge, who have shared their memories and children and stories. They truly are staples in the fabric of my office, my life, my world.

It is possible I’m waxing poetic about a topic you may not relate to or are not as invested in as I am. Fine. But I do believe we all have those people in our lives whom we have “grown up” with, so when they depart, then there’s an empty space they once filled. Even if it is a chair on the third floor in room 308, the person who fills the seat is still a person.

_________________

I ask you –

How do you cope with change?

Are you particularly close to your coworkers?

Tell me someone in your life who you feel you have “grown up” with.

(The post Staples in the Fabric of Life first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Less Graffiti, More Greeting Cards

The title of this post is admittedly paraphrased from a radio show host who shared a sweet phrase she saw graffiti’d on a building: “It only takes a second to tell someone something beautiful”. Obviously, the radio host indicated graffiti is vandalism, but it made me wonder why not greeting cards? Why not share inspirational quotes and phrases, lick the envelope, and send it on its way? How much are stamps? Probably less than defacing public property charges.

Did you know commercial greeting cards originated in 1860? Me neither.

The several cards received. (not pictured)

_________________

I ask you –

I doubt many will answer, but have you ever grafitti’d something?

Do you send greeting cards?

Effective 13 July 2025, postage stamp prices will increase to $0.78.

(The post Less Graffiti, More Greeting Cards first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Pretending

Name that tune.

If I don’t start doing things with my life, I may be forced to research blog topics to keep this one going.

Name something you pretend to like! I really struggled with this question. The two people I asked upon hearing the question were met with resounding answers: a specific person, and their job. Definitely answers.

Even at this moment, I haven’t come up with an answer. I’m loving hearing others’, just haven’t come up with my own.

The photo below is an indicator of what goes on behind closed doors, aka Parts taking a math test. For 4 hours!

Other things –

Spent some time in the dark last week due to a power outage so I ate my standard salad in the fitness center lobby with my feet propped up. Glorious break.

There’s a nearby home with both a for sale sign and a garage sale sign out front. I’ve often wondered what the inside looks like. Bonus points for the continual police presence. Finally got my chance to poke around indoors – beautiful high ceilings, missing carpet, and a borderline hoarding issue. Hopefully someone rich will renovate it with an open-to-the-public invite. Nosy.

_________________

I ask you –

How long have you ever been without power? 23 days. Yes. Really.

Any guesses on Parts’ math test grade? Hint: it wasn’t pretty.

Name something you pretend to like!

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

What to do now

In my unlimited extra time post-PhD, I’ve included a near daily yoga session into my morning routine. I feel amazing and I’ve almost mastered feet to knees.

Then there’s volleyball up to 3x a week. Sure, we haven’t won a single game but the fun levels of this team I am grateful to coach is unmatched. Off the charts…but not our scores.

I planned a skating party for my 9 year old. She was an infant yesterday. I don’t understand how this is happening. Spare Parts will be a grandma at the end of the summer while I have a 9 yr old. Still makes me laugh.

I’ve been researching adjunct professor positions; there’s a few leads. For now, I’m working through the process of publishing my dissertation to the university and public databases. I’ve also looked into some think tank-type work to impact immigration legislation. Policymaker stuff is my forte.

The comfy corner came together nicely. Mini reads her books there at night while I hoard the space in the early morning hours. My wake up time has only shifted by 30-60 mins yet somehow those precious minutes make all the difference in my rest levels. Most days, I’m a new person!

As time passes, I’m sure it will fill with other responsibilities, requirements, or space takers. No need to hurry.

———————–

I ask you –

After completing something which took a large portion of your time, how did you fill the space?

When did you last plan a birthday party?

Share your wakeup time! 0500

(The post What to do now first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

It…What?

This is the story of many unrelated topics with little to no context. Admittedly, I love context. It makes me happy to consider all angles of a single sentence. I like to know things, I like to wonder. But I really like to know the back, front, and sides of the thought process. This time – I’ll let these statements sit without much explanation.

Found this article while perusing other blog posts. I love the Texas border. And I love border communities.

I walked down the street with an empty cup, a glass bowl of salad, and no fork. Frantic about menopause. This is my life. Headed to a book club about a discussion over a book I hadn’t read. Hadn’t even purchased.

How to Job 101. Someone remind me I want to build a training curriculum around this title.

Recognizing our biases has unspoken importance, more powerful than anyone could believe. Which is why I admittedly share mine. Because I’d rather say why or how I’m biased than have someone use it against me. I may be biased but I am fair. And this is undoubtedly the single best compliment I’ve ever received, courtesy of my muse. Because, of course.

Lately, work is like taking a daily sucker punch with no consideration for recovery. I just get there, start swinging, and hope a few connect.

What was the slang these young people once said? I remember. It be like that sometimes.

_________________________________

I ask you –

How often do you forget the proper utensils for a meal?

Solution to above: just take chopsticks, Kel!

Tell me your favorite, or most loathed, slang. Anything with “bruh”

(The post It…What? first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Two Flowers and a Funeral

Not sure why my jonquils haven’t bloomed yet but I’m holding on to hope they will. Those are the neighbors.

Also, these gigantic mushrooms are everywhere. Somehow, even with “good dirt”, I still manage to kill greenery.

Unfortunately, I attended a funeral last week. Short of my inappropriate funeral/death humor, I do have a question – funeral attire is strange to me because why do we dress up to say goodbye? They can’t see us. Why don’t we dress up for them while they’re living instead of waiting until they’re gone? Now, did I dress up because societal norms say I should? Yes. But would I have thought wrongly of someone who came to pay their respects in their work clothes? No. Because we shouldn’t have to look a certain way to show respect.

_________________

I ask you –

Have your jonquils bloomed?

What is your typical funeral attire?

I saw photos of the cherry blossoms blooming in DC and promised myself one day I would go there!

(The post Two Flowers and a Funeral first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Spring Break Recap

running debut!

To think a few years ago the most difficult part of my weekend (and week days) was figuring out when to do a long run. To think carving up to 2 hrs from my day was nearly impossible. Ha. Now, I know I can do anything.

apple

tree

Once I received the running green light on Wednesday (happy birthday, Kel), I ran my fastest mile since Nov (13:10!!) and played volleyball. Although this coaching gig is fun, I’d much rather play.

Spring break was quite the whirlwind of a week. From high emotions to adventure parks to a major wind storm and a furlough avoidance, March is shaping up to be one for the books. Speaking of books, I still haven’t read this month’s book club recommendation.

_________________

I ask you –

What currently takes up most of your time?

Do you/have you ever coached a sport?

Vote here for Spring Break for Adults!

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

Comfy Corner

I originally wrote this post in early 2024 so I thought it fitting I publish it today, one week prior to the scheduled dissertation defense which has consumed my life for a long time.

PMS sucks. I find myself with a lowered patience threshold than usual. Just the little things. However, I often have some really creative ideas during this time. Like this – a reading corner! The plan is to restructure my writing desk and general PhD-making setup into a reading nook upon graduation. I’m not certain what the original thought was for this alcove of a room attached to the formal bedroom. It developed, for me, into a bookcase/writing desk/storage square. Obviously, at this time, it’s where student magic happens.

Sidenote: I do understand how some people can only write or work in their “designated space(s)”. It is a mental act to have all the right conditions when it comes to concentration. One would think I have trouble with being so close to the bedroom, literally within eyesight. However, I believe it was very strategic on my part because mini can wake up and SEE me working; therefore, I’m preventing a mad dash down the hallway and/or her getting up at the crack of dawn when I’m busy. So far, year 3, this is working.

Image credit: Amazon

Anyway, a reading corner complete with oversized comfy chair, foot rest, end tables, and probably a fake plant. Because…death.

Often it feels like this stage of my life is never-ending and I will literally be writing forever. However, I know it’s untrue. I think. Maybe? So planning small rewards – or refocuses, if you will – breaks up the monotony. Like when I forget to check what day my interlibrary loan book is due. Or when I forget mini’s age because I’ve just regurgitated from memory every family member’s phone number, email, blood type, address…you get the point. Forgive me when I can’t do it all! Mini has not let me forget this yet.

My point is I need a place to read and gather my thoughts before the day attempts to steal every remaining functioning brain cell. Can you blame me?

_________________

I ask you –

What would your comfy corner include?

How much time does it take to get your thoughts together?

Fake plant vs real plant. Your preference?

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

Day in Photos, pt 14

“Self-discipline: the art of investing today’s actions for tomorrow’s results. Making yourself do something you don’t want to do in order to get a result you would like to have.” – The Traveler’s Summit (a fantastic book, highly recommend)

Waiting patiently for the jonquils to bloom. Typically they are in full glory around my birthday so just a few more weeks! It’s cherry blossom time in the Eastern part of the U.S. As they’re my favorite, I find them notable to include here.

A sweet gift from my beautiful friend! We haven’t met in awhile but as soon as the weather turned favorable we were outside walking…which prompted a partnership and more opportunities to walk and talk!

________________

I ask you –

Do you have a favorite flower?

When did you last pamper yourself?

Thoughts on the walk and talk method of meetings.

(The post Day in Photos, pt 14 first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Just keep swimming? typing?

By the time you read this, I will be bleary-eyed, rocking back and forth, with unwashed hair sticking out every which way.

Or, as I like to call it, almost finished with the final chapter of this manuscript. Remember that calculation from last week? Well, it doubled in about 48 hrs when I realized I slightly miscalculated the final date of the semester. By about 3 weeks. Aka the approval deadline moved closer to today’s date than originally planned.

Update: at 468 pages and nearly 115,000 words, I think I’m done. Now I need to make a carpal tunnel appointment. Parts said she would help me.

courtesy of Hobby Lobby and zero self control

So glad they sent me that email so I could panic properly.

This is fun.

———————–

I ask you –

Have you ever misjudged a timeline?

Do you prefer emails or texts?

Share your best coping mechanisms. My coffee pot probably wants to go on strike.

(The post Just keep swimming? typing? first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)