I’m purchasing this headwear for use at an upcoming graduation. When I found out an ex-husband and a few old boyfriends would be in attendance, incognito is now the theme.
Credit: Amazon
New office furniture arrived. I’m so thankful for Parts. She loves to put stuff together. Me? Well, let’s just say it’s a disaster.
I love ice cream. Not surprisingly. And I still need to try this flavor!
I’ve waited forever for football! And since I have a little time to watch it – don’t call me, I’ll call you, ummm, never.
Credit: Google
_________________
I ask you –
What should I wear for further incognito-ness? All black? Black with red heels is my standard.
The sword is ours! As this was our first work day back from vacation, it was definitely as memorable as possible.
And then there was this silliness! I don’t know any other job that encourages you to dress up at Batman complete with mask and cape, then pose with your sword. I love my job! Subsequently, although I don’t yet have the photo to prove it, I won the installation quarterly award where I proudly hoisted the sword in victory.
Truly, the victory belongs to my fitness team. I couldn’t do any of this without them. Indeed, they make me look good because, on my own, I don’t hold a candle (or a sword) to them. They make my job worth it.
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I ask you –
How difficult is it for you when returning from vacation?
Can regular people be knighted?
Tell me about your most awesome award!
(The postWe Won! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
“We rise in the wait, not the arrival.” Waiting is not everyone’s (maybe anyone’s) strong suit. Never have I heard a eulogy or a bio or an introduction which said “So-and-so excels/excelled at waiting!”
According to mini, waiting is hard. An unnecessary endeavor, if you will. Absolutely pointless. In many ways, I understand. We live in an instant gratification society, where nearly every want or desire is available at our fingertips, literally and figuratively. As I say it, this is an instant potatoes world. But how often does waiting truly bring us valued joy? Let me count the ways. In other words, innumerable times. And we’re stronger because of it.
Side note. I’ve always considered cereal for dinner an exotic meal. Crazy, right? I think it’s because a) I don’t eat cereal and b) don’t drink milk. Therefore, it’s always been out of the realm of my ability to experience it.
27 July – 3 August
I know I already posted a July recap but what’s the rules on posting when a month runs into another? Run, run, get it get it. Posting for posterity, of course! That’s a lot of action for a vacation!
Wk 13: additional 45 pages
You know what I wasn’t waiting on this week? This manuscript to write itself. 45 pages! 45! Sure, I didn’t run as much as I’d have liked to but I did create tables, graphs, figures, and somehow overcame my limited knowledge of Excel to beautify a bunch of numbers into APA-worthy additions to the current 279 pages.
_________________
I ask you –
How much exercise do you get when away from home? More? Less? Depends.
I should have a second question here but I do not.
Rate your level of patience for waiting. On a good day, 1.
When the weeks are dragging on and you need a few interesting things to keep you wanting to get up, do stuff, adult. This is getting ridiculous.
to the water park!
Found this fascinating story regarding one of Sheppard AFB’s very own Airmen doing big things to benefit countless individuals: Air Force Tourniquet Belt.
I say “Call me if you need me!” a lot for someone who rarely, if ever, answers the phone when anyone calls. It’s a formality. Just text me like a normal person, ok?
Admittedly, I am the most ignorant person I’ve ever met. Ask me about the day I walked around with a huge vape thing in my hand because I picked it up outside thinking it was an old battery pack. It was pink. I probably should have known something was up.
Then, a staff member told me they had accepted a jewel in the lost and found and asked how to return it to its owner. Jewel. Upon further questioning, along the lines of who loses a jewel, it was carefully explained to me someone lost a brand of vape. How was I supposed to know?
Then, it took nearly 2 hours for McK and I to figure out how to put gas in the government vehicles. In our defense, the instructions were unclear, there were inoperable pumps with obscure signage (read: none), and we’ve never done this before! We lead from the front, for sure! However, I do appreciate the consistent vehicle drive-bys who didn’t ask if we needed help until the final task was completed. I’m not being sarcastic – I think we would have been affronted if some…man…had tried to help us. We are independent!
The requisite activity versus pages tracker:
Additional pages: 23!
We’re strongest in our struggles. Which is probably not how the saying goes but it feels as if everything leading up to vacation is a struggle.
_________________
I ask you –
Do you prefer calls or texts?
On a scale of 1 to who-let-you-out-of-your-cage, how ignorant are you?
Tell me your thoughts on independence!
(The post Pre-Vacation first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
Like to the office across the way, the one with a window to the hallway and very bright overhead, automatic lighting. Can we turn these down? Yes, I got the job.
While I was away in VA a few weeks ago, galivanting with the crabs and such, I won an award. Lovingly, Parts stepped up to accept it; unbeknownst to me, there was much fanfare and laughter associated with her acceptance. Not only was it announced that “Spare Parts” would be accepting it, but she also convinced the Commander to cover my name AND now the Chief will be submitting the above photo to the Wing for future consideration. As Parts tells it, since I abandoned her for weeks (slight exaggeration) then I either owed her a puppy or a sword. More to come.
Obviously we have a thing for old trucks
Never mind us though – Mini has surely been going places! From her time in Tennessee then to California and everywhere in between, she’s quite the traveler. As this may be her final summer in California, the adventures have been ramped up, from the Rio Grande to Belmont Park and Sea World to a dip in the Pacific Ocean and a trip to the Sequoia National Park, her traveling expanses make my head spin. What a wonderful life to live. I know driving is not her favorite way to travel; however, so much more can be seen when compared to flying and I love this stage in her life. The girl just wants to meet new people and go on adventures!
_________________
I ask you –
Do you have anyone in your life that encourages silly behavior? If not, you should!
Of the places I mentioned above, how many have you been to?
Tell me your favorite place to visit or a place you were excited to see!
(The post This Girl Is… first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
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!
_________________
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.)
A few times a year, when I’ll be gone, I phone it in and do a re-post. Allow me some time to recuperate and I’ll be back with new material! xoxo, RoF
Surely in the last 4 yrs (update: 5 yrs now) of Running on Fumes I have mentioned my sweet great aunt, my daughter’s namesake, the woman who taught me that life is for giving. But, if you’re new here, allow me to introduce her once again.
circa 2022
It’s very difficult for her to hear on the phone so occasionally I break out the pen and paper and send her a love note. At 96, her ears may not be what they once were but her sight is adequate. She is love epitomized into one small woman with the most beautiful laugh and a smile that lights up the entire world.
Love letters
She’s a God-fearing woman with a heart of genuine gold. I try to be a woman she is proud of, an incredible mom like she filled that role for me, and an overall good person. And her deep baritone singing voice? Well, nothing I do could ever come close.
Sure, this post is short today but there’s so much meaning behind it. Call the person, send them a love note, tell them how much they are missed. It’s not for you. It’s for them.
________________
I ask you –
Do you have a special person in your life?
How is your singing voice?
Tell me the last time you sent someone a personal letter or note!
(The post Love Notes first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
Somehow in my… shortsightedness, ignorance, lack of basic comprehension…I missed the fact I don’t turn in my manuscript for a whole 6 weeks. Essentially, in this 15 week course, I submit it at Wk 1, Wk 7, and Wk 14. Which is mostly insane because can you imagine not having any discipline for an assignment that you fudge the weekly “Have you made any progress?” question and tarry on (yes, tarry) for 6 weeks without doing anything? CAN YOU IMAGINE?!
Completely unfathomable. This is a doctoral degree! So basically I’m not worried even a little bit but if you’re someone who struggles with zero accountability, then you might have issues. Thank goodness for my “insane drive bordering on absolute nutcase” or however that paraphrase of an actual insult? compliment? went.
Another thing is the rabbit hole of variable research studies I’m suddenly stumbling upon. Somehow I can write 7 pages a day without realizing how much time I’ve spent perusing tons of material. Again, a foreign concept to most. One morning I spent 2.5 hrs writing and only added 2 pages. Balance, I guess.
Random funny –
Actual conversation at approximately 0600 on a Wednesday:
Me: *examining an empty milk jug with a missing lid* What goes on around here after hours?
Parts: Some real shady sh*t!
_________________
I ask you –
Do you have any good examples of a compliment that functions as an insult? I’d like to include it in my repertoire.
Have you ever found a milk jug without a lid?
Tell me about something lately you would consider absolutely preposterous!
(The post Preposterous! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
I thought with the first iteration of manuscript feedback I would feel like a puppy with its head down and tail between its legs, sadly moping around after being chastised. Maybe I’m just immune now. Probably a good thing I don’t get my feelings hurt too often anymore because – what’s feelings? – after 2 years of writing for a page count, I no longer have to do that. I can just write for quality and content. What a concept! Anyway, there was a fair amount of red garnishing the margins of my submission but nothing unmanageable. I’ve only been writing my whole life so you’d think I would have it figured out by now.
On the subject of figuring it out – mini has completed her first few years of elementary school and will soon be headed to a more concise portion of the formidable elementary school system. Seems she and a few classmates are a bit nervous to leave behind the teachers they have essentially grown up around. My mama heart is simply amazed at the progress she has made, especially in terms of reading and math. Watching it finally “click” are moments I never want to let go of. From single sentence reading folders then to chapter books, her interests are slightly unpredictable but incredibly beautiful. As her brain fills with information, I want to capture these moments forever. She’s a caring, thoughtful, helpful friend; I see it in everything she does and how big her heart is when she’s around others. Elementary school may not be a traditional milestone to anyone else, yet, if one digs deep, the foundational stones are being laid before my eyes. And you can’t get these memories back.
Other notable memories and observations – if I don’t stop laughing at these meetings, I’m destined to get kicked out. Ah-ha! It’s like they make me incredibly giggly thinking about inappropriate things and once I start laughing, I’m done. No focus.
Included in the no focus section for this post – the photo below is me hiding under McK’s desk, lying in wait to scare her. Spoiler: it worked. She yelled and jumped. Payback for the time she scared me in my office. Work is fun!
_________________
I ask you –
What’s the ideal color to write in the margins?
How often do you scare someone?
Define “figuring it out”.
(The post Updates! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
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