Smart Choices

I once thought how I’d love to have back my 16-yr-old body. Not a care in the world, could live on Snickers and bad decisions. And I did. But then I think of what my body has done for me – I realize the one I have now is absolutely perfect. I’m in awe of this body. It birthed a child. It carries me to and fro with ease. It reacts so positively when I nourish it. There’s something special about the word nourishment. More than eating, it requires nourishment. I nourish my mind, body, and soul. It rejoices.

Yogurt + blueberries = my daily standby

The salads that Mini makes fun of me for eating daily are truly fulfilling to my body. When I think about why I love them so much, I recall visiting Aunt Mary Catherine’s home and she always had a green salad with lunch. Always! I loved her simple green salad. And it was never referenced as a “salad”; it was a “green salad”. Probably vice fruit salad or ambrosia salad. Which are magical in their own way.

In this age of convenience, a salad is not. In fact, salads are expensive which proves a barrier to families with limited or strict incomes. Salads could even be considered rich-people food. I’m not rich but my body demands this rich person food. Enriching, if you will.

Sleep is also a favorite self-gift. I’ve found, through diligent research, that my body reacts the best when it receives 9 hours of sleep. Now, before anyone acts shocked, I’ve had an 8:30pm bedtime for nearly my entire life.

Notwithstanding the bed time, research (the real kind) indicates a full sleep cycle lasts about 90 mins which means 9 hrs of sleep grants about 6 full REM cycles. In my opinion, it is why I nearly always remember my dreams each morning. A full cycle grants me the ability to fall into a natural REM cycle where I awake in the proper stage to remember my dreams.

I’m no doctor…wait. I am!…but anecdotal evidence is evidence nonetheless!

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I ask you –

What is your average sleep cycle?

What foods do you find nourishing?

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

Girl, yes, you do

A compilation of the random things I tell myself and what I’d tell many women navigating life –

Girl, you don’t need another eye cream. You need a consistent sleep routine.

Girl, you don’t need excuses. You need actions.

Girl, you don’t need to use AI. You need to use 4 functioning brain cells.

Girl, you don’t need to date someone in the church. You were told to bring someone to church! If you read this and think these shoes fit you, they probably do. Put them on, march yourself outside, and start looking.

Girl, you don’t need any more energy drinks and you sure don’t need to check your blood pressure while drinking it. You need water!

Girl, you don’t need another cookie…wait, yes, you do!

P.S. do not try the newest Blue Bell flavor, chocolate lava cake. I want it all for myself!

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I ask you –

Anything to add to this compilation?

Have you tried the new ice cream flavor?!

(The post Girl, yes, you do first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Please take a moment

To acknowledge I have no idea what I’m doing.
To offer thanks I didn’t kill anyone with terrible canning safety techniques. See above.

To admire my newest WordPress achievement. Although I publish all posts at the same time of the day.

To really read my emails (oh, boss). Please marvel at the profound analysis I selflessly provided you. Because “good copy” just isn’t the response I was hoping for.

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I ask you –

Name something you’d like your friends/family/coworkers to take a moment for!

(The post Please take a moment first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Fitness Update + Midway Creatine Trial

I love watching young people walk into the fitness centers, load the bar with 180 lbs, then proceed to crank out 15 chest presses. I don’t really love this. I want to ask what was the warm up, did they stretch, are they hydrated? Me? It’s a full prehab, post-hab, rehab and I still get injured!

Wrapping up another Garmin training plan of the big 5 – squat, deadlift, chest presses, overhead press, and row. I’ve consistently lifted 3-5x/week since October and my body is stronger because of it. Sure, we all know we’re supposed to be doing it but yeah yeah yeah. Who has the time? The energy? Answer: no one! However, maintaining any kind of lifestyle requires a lot of dedication. I almost wrote sacrifice instead of dedication but I don’t believe it’s true – I’m not sacrificing anything, I’m no martyr. But dedication? I got this.

Although it’s not about the size or weight, I’ve been maintaining a size I was in high school (ohhhh about 23 years ago) and I weigh less now than I did then. Even with running and muscle mass! Lord knows I lived on Twix bars and chicken in high school so not only incredibly unhealthy but fraught with disordered-thinking. Today? I feel good.

Update on the creatine trial: by the time of this post, I’ll have indulged in daily creatine for 16 days so nearly half the month. First, placebo effect is real. Second, I haven’t witnessed any eye-opening changes. Glutes are the same, in case you wondered. Brain fog seems to have not changed, although I don’t know how I would feel or even know if it wasn’t there. I’ve tested myself a few times to see how long it takes me to remember the word I was trying to say in the moment and maybe it’s a shade faster since starting creatine? I’m still trying though!

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I ask you –

On average, how long should it take for a person to notice the effects of a supplement?

(The post Fitness Update + Midway Creatine Trial first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

More Commencement Shenanigans

The continuation of my previous post –

Iron Clad Coffee Roasters, Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg, VA

Aroma House, Virginia

Night 1 dinner, courtesy of Publix

Please allow me to rave about this incredible restaurant in Salem, Virginia: Mac & Bob’s. It’s a local establishment with quite an interesting history. Our 3 dishes below were incredible. I hate that this place is in Virginia, or maybe I don’t?, because I would eat here weekly.

Calzone

Pizza

Chicken Alfredo

Unsurprisingly, mini can match me drink for a drink. Or coffee for a coffee rather. This girl enjoys it and pretty much knows what she likes. She did allow me to order for her once, and although I don’t think it was her favorite, she was gracious. Life is better with caffeine.

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I ask you –

How many states have you traveled to/through?

(The post More Commencement Shenanigans first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Commencement Fun

I have an insane amount of photos from graduation week/day/weekend prior.

Many of my photos from the Liberty University campus in Lynchburg, VA, are places I “spent” time at during my PhD program. Having not seen them in person until recently, I had a picture in my head. However, this could simply be the most beautiful campus I’ve ever seen.

We drank so much coffee driving to VA from TX. Not pictured: an additional 2 or so coffee shops in Virginia.

Tennessee

Virginia

It was an incredibly long drive with a very short day of ceremonies, but I would encourage anyone to walk the stage at whatever school one graduates from. It’s such an honor to be surrounded by others who probably experienced many of the same headaches and who also celebrated some of the same wins.

We survived a 2500+ mile round trip (in under 4 days) to arrive home to this surprise. Not entirely pictured: a ginormous key lime pie cheesecake. Might have eaten 3 pieces at once. Parts may give me the hardest time but her support is immeasurable.

Part’s handiwork

I’m saving the food and extra coffee photos for my next post. Standby.

Friends!

Spectacular view

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I ask you –

Even though I graduated in 2025, I waited a year to walk the stage. Hope you have much success in all your life’s endeavors!

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

Celebratory (Cup)Cake

10 years total as active duty + civilian! I’m blessed to have the perspective of both sides of the uniform and two different military branches. There was nothing easy about either; however, I make a better civilian than I did in NWUs.

This seemingly rickety bridge has been around longer than 10 years. Probably 100. As you can see, the Wichita River is flowing courtesy of the recent rains. As several of us volunteered to set up an obstacle run, the Texas-sized mosquitoes tried to carry us off. We prevailed.

Surviving an incredibly long, stressful, packed week warranted ice cream and cupcakes. The ice cream? Meh. I think Cookie Two Step rates much higher on the “you gotta try this” scale. Brookie A La Mode just didn’t do it for me.

The star of the show was the cupcakes. I’m not sure if I ever mentioned it before, but when I was stationed in Pensacola my first year in the Navy, my best friend, Sam, turned me on to Kimberly’s cupcakes. Who knows how many cupcakes were consumed as we tried them all. All. I don’t recall ever eating a bad Kimberly’s cupcake. It’s the perfect blend of frosting and super soft, moist cake. They are divine. When I lived in Virginia, I could still purchase Kimberly’s cupcakes. However, upon moving back to Texas, I only recall seeing Kimberly’s cupcakes a handful of times in the local grocery stores. It’s been at least 5 years since their last sighting. Until now! A new (to me) grocery chain recently opened and they have Kimberly’s cupcakes. This will not end well.

I didn’t set out to celebrate 10 years with the customary ice cream and cake yet somehow it found me when I needed it. Thanks, Kimberly, wherever and whoever you are.

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I ask you –

Have you ever tried Kimberly’s cupcakes?

What are your thoughts on the Blue Bell flavor?

(The post Celebratory (Cup)Cake first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Ten!

We celebrated 10 years! Instead of the traditional party, we made a quick trip to DFW to eat, shop, and generally create chaos. Success! With cash in hand, Mini made good choices and reckless choices, but her “loot” (as she calls it) was quite satisfying.

A fabulous brunch at The Brunch District in Addison. Truly a best kept secret. Mini’s Eggs Benedict stole the show. Once a girl who avoided anything considered spicy, she has opened her mind and taste buds to new things…and a taste for simple spicy.

We drank a lot of coffee. Of course. The Ninja Kids Adventure Park was also a hit.

And we shopped until we nearly dropped. Better than a party, in my opinion, and so much fun. The experience was worth the drive, the stormy weather, and the very late arrival home.

My sweet 10-yr-old is a happy, kind, beautiful, strong, young lady with an appreciation for fun and chaos. Her wide smile is shared with everyone. And her critical opinions are both humorous and fearsome. As some would say, she’s a hoot!

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I ask you –

Tell me your favorite birthday memory!

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

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.)