Pirating the Big Easy

Quick trip to New Orleans, complete with a course of training. When in Rome…we do all the things the Orlians do. Or whatever they said.

So much coffee.

And cozy spots to chat.

And balconies.

A trip to restore the mind, body, and soul. Many conversations were had, and many will live in infamy. Alas, that’s what best friends are for.

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I ask you –

What does “when in Rome” mean to you?

(The post Pirating the Big Easy first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Cheers to 40 Years

Mini’s got jokes

When I tell you I thought the week leading up to 40 (not 50 as mini would have you believe) was difficult, even the word difficult doesn’t capture how trying it was.

I’d like to think I’m prepared for anything. But when a situation stops you dead in your tracks and you are forced to navigate your own emotions, moving away from those emotions is like falling without a parachute. Though I wouldn’t exactly know. Never could I be prepared for the adrenaline dump. It’s a moment like this I’m thankful for others who checked on me, who let me take a minute to breathe, who were gentle with me. Living should never be taken lightly. And asking the really really really hard questions is not for the faint of heart. My title isn’t free. It comes with a heavy cost and, although I’m living a career dream come true, the title is paid for in blood, sweat, and tears.

On a more lighthearted note, this cake makes the toughest days a little brighter.

Lemon blueberry cake, courtesy of Tanto

So do beautiful flowers –

Muse love

And the real reason for all the shenanigans –

Spare Parts and I

40!

She and I received so many messages, calls, texts, and a visit from her sweet grandbaby! Our families and friends made today extra special. If this is 40, I’m a big fan!

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I ask you –

Do you celebrate your birthday or is it just another day?

(The post Cheers to 40 Years first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Things it doesn’t take a PhD to do

Read the directions
Properly fill out a form
Ask for help
Say no
Reschedule a meeting/appointment/obligation
Be kind
Laugh maniacally

Side note. I posted the above photo on Instagram and no one commented. And I wasn’t flagged either. Maybe I’m losing my touch. Parts and I had the best laugh when she shared this info with me one morning on the drive to work. I thought she was kidding. The previous dude was Mencho or Menchi or some iteration of a word I am too lazy this moment to research. We went from him to Sir Yogurt. Classy. I really should not joke about these things because my history precedes me.

8. Balance junk with “healthier” options. Oreos + chocolate milk. Disclaimer: the sugar free Oreos are really nothing special. Personally, I’d choose the gluten free ones because I think they taste the best of all – super crunchy, no after taste, and (maybe?) slightly healthier than regular Oreos.

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I ask you –

What is your favorite type or flavor of Oreos?

Of the 8 listed items, which do you find the easiest and which is the toughest?

(The post Things it doesn’t take a PhD to do first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Three Things!

I should be on a beach right now.

Alas, the cookie dealers are out in full force. Yes, I would like to buy some Girl Scout cookies! No, I do not have self-control!

Here I am, judging the Olympics, just me, with zero experience in anything related to ice.

Credit: via Instagram

For whatever reason, I did not consider how curlers move about on the ice. Maybe I thought they wore special grippy shoes, like track stars. Or cleats, like soccer players. Wrong. No, no, they slide/skate/propel themselves across the ice. You know, like ice skaters. Did I mention I suck at ice skating? This could be a small problem for my curling career.

Britt & I

My best friend and I go way back. 21 years or so. We don’t see each other too often despite living less than 20 mins away. Every time we say we’ll do better, months have gone by. Nonetheless, she fills my cup. From the smiles and laughter to the inside jokes, we can make up time as if none has passed.

On the drive to see her, flipping radio stations, a woman was recounting her Galentine’s date with her own set of girlfriends. She said it was nothing fancy – they ate lava cake at Chili’s, had a few drinks, and were home and in bed by 10pm. As the other radio hosts laughed, the woman said nothing beats a night with your closest friends…and lava cake.

Britt and I’s meet up didn’t include lava cake or drinks, but we both agree an early bedtime is living life to the fullest! A random statistic I just made up: men and women who cultivate close friendships outside of their partnership live longer, are happier overall, and experience better heart health. They probably have lower body weight percentages, too, due to laughing.

Now, to get her involved in curling. Possibilities.

________________

I ask you –

Have you tried the new Girl Scout cookie flavor yet?

Thoughts on Galentine’s?!

(The post Three Things! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

More Favorite Things

Why would anyone care about my favorite things? They don’t, but I do!

There’s a previous iteration of this post, but I was too lazy to go find it. Maybe I repeated some items, maybe not.

These bowls I found at Walmart for my morning granola and yogurt habit. $5/each. I can never get a real bargain. Except this time!

If the bowls are the least expensive, this is the most. I tossed all my notebooks and planners and journals and writing pads. Now I have the Remarkable 2. Indeed, it is remarkable. No internet, no fluff, just a writing vessel for all my thoughts. Saving the planet one digital pen stroke at a time.

My addiction to JoJo’s treats is out of control with zero hope for recovery. I added up what just the bags in this photo cost. Yikes. Worth it? Yes!

_____________________

I ask you –

Tell me about some of your favorite things!

(The post More Favorite Things first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Outtakes, episode 5

Mini joined me for a rousing room of 3 other participants, complete with a broken thermostat and much running.

An attempt to tame my curls came in the form of these little dinglehoppers, otherwise known as French horns. Ahem, French pins. And a partridge in a pear tree. Or the garbage can, which is where one went after I broke it. It lasted only a few hours in my hair. RIP, French horn. Also, the tutorial exploited its ease of use. It was not.

I was honored to be selected as a judge for lodging’s gingerbread house competition! When I asked for a taste test, I almost lost my judging rights. Next time.

Another week of leave is on the horizon. Ahem, now. There will be no gingerbread house creation. Instead, upwards of 75 degrees is forecasted. I have no doubt the winter weather will come soon though. Merry Christmas Eve!

_____________________

I ask you –

Have you ever eaten a gingerbread house post-decoration?

(The post Outtakes, episode 5 first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Get Cookin’

For a long week, I was under the weather. Big thanks to Texas for its pseudo-winter/summer fluctuations. When in doubt, drink it out. Hmmmm doesn’t sound correct. Nothing a little rum can’t fix.

I attended a squadron Christmas Social, complete with a fashion show and giveaways. I won a candle! Despite my best preparation, including sitting as far away as possible from the dessert table, once the first cookie snuck past my lips, I was done. 7 cookies later…no judgment, please

To balance out the cookies, I gave up on pre-packaged granola. It was full of crap! And expensive! Now I make my own: almonds, pistachios, pecans/walnuts, and cinnamon. I eat it daily so I guess you could say it’s really good.

You know the 8.5×11 inch baking dishes? I made pan cookies, filling that baby side to side with delicious cookie dough, then baking it to perfection. In 7 days, I (nearly singlehandedly) ate the entire dish of cookies. The entire 8.5×11 inch pan. To my defense, I made them with gluten-free flour (for Parts) and fake sugar (for me). That knocks off about 5 calories.

I’ll get my life together. After I devour all the sweets in this house. Surely I’m helping someone else’s restraint. Surely?

_____________________

I ask you –

When was the last time you polished off some cookies?

(The post Get Cookin’ first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Finding Rest

For the last several years, but only during the holidays, I would find Lindor Snickerdoodle Truffles. This year? Scant a snickerdoodle anywhere. But I found this alternative. I was hesitant to try them lest they don’t live up to what my mind considered was the best. To my surprise, these are a very close match and delicious! You’re welcome.

During the government shutdown, we purchased a time waster from my younger years. Introducing – the puzzle! Mini helped with the border for approximately 17 seconds, then made her way to the television for Dancing with the Stars. She’s invested. Truly, I have enjoyed this project. With sunset so early and a tired soul, this puzzle has kept me excited to come back for more.

Bonus! Find yourself a coffee shop jazz channel on whatever music service you use. Trust me. It’s peaceful and exactly what you need on a fall day.

Update. I found the Lindor truffles. First, I ordered them from Amazon. Then, I found two packages at the grocery store. In a double not blind taste test, the truffles are smoother. However, the kisses taste exactly the same as the truffles. Price? Kisses are cheaper and offer more variety if you want to bake with them.

For some, rest probably isn’t puzzles and chocolate. For some, rest is simply a break from a stressor. Same, same. Whatever it is, take time for yourself. During the holidays, it is incredibly easy to get lost in the going/going/gone, but I believe the holidays are meant for a slower time. Enjoy them. And try the snickerdoodle kisses!

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I ask you –

What is your favorite holiday candy?

(The post Finding Rest 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.

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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.)