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.
I want to watch Olympic curling. In Italy. In 2026. A PhD celebration trip. Also near my 40th birthday.
Credit: Google
…originally this post was titled in the plural sense. Bucket List Additions. However, at the time of this posting, I am TDY to a location with somehow even more humidity than I’m accustomed to yet also slightly (maybe 1 degree) cooler. I can’t tell you anything about this location because I must use it as fodder for future posts otherwise I would have nothing to share here.
On the bright side, since I turned in my manuscript last week in a rushed attempt to capture everything I had planned to incorporate this week, I have a little time on my hands to brainstorm more bucket list items. In the meantime…I’ll return soon with adventure stories!
_________________
I ask you –
Have you ever watched the Olympics live?
Would you be more likely to go watch the summer or winter Olympics?
For my fellow bloggers, tell me about your idea-generating endeavors!
2nd iteration of the necessary repost. Not to worry, loyal readers, I will return soon. Sunkissed, smiling, and (still) slightly frazzled. Enjoy! -Kel
Sometimes we need a reminder that many (most) of us are surrounded by people and the importance of being a leader is one not to be taken lightly. As it is appraisal season in the fairytale land of federal government employment, it’s time for me to administer them. While my own was a pleasant experience and nearly always has been, predecessors have royally convoluted the process and make it seem like a dirty word. It can be disheartening to build trust and camaraderie when employees are fearful, distrustful, and generally blah (which is definitely a scientific word). Often I find myself correcting others when I’m referred to as a manager. That’s not me. I strive to be a leader of people and a manager of programs. People are our mission; programs are our resource.
All this being said – work has posed some challenges lately. Seems this course on human resources and the legalities surrounding it have taken a toll on my decision-making skills. Not necessarily in a bad way; just that I’ve repeatedly questioned whether or not I’m doing the right thing. Turns out I think I have. But still.
So far, these are my (and by “my” I mean I didn’t do much…the team did) shining moments: hosted a staff meeting that included a rousing game of volleyball of which I am (ongoing) healing from; established 24/7 access to a gym that did not previously have this amenity, and completed a 3 week streak of consistent call-ins yet managed to recover. I can’t understand why my award-writing skills aren’t cutting it. Just another example of how supervising people and managing programs can be rewarding in itself.
this photo really helps the abused look
As for the volleyball part of this post, we’ve decided to develop a team complete with custom shirts, wildly inappropriate shorts, and substantially-lacking coach mentorship. At this point in the proverbial game, we have about 11 months to start practicing. Nothing can stand in our way!
I’m leaning toward these shorts
Until I receive the phone call asking if someone can bring in their inflatable gymnastics mat. Do what?
_____________________
I ask you –
Do you supervise anyone in your workplace?
Have you ever played volleyball?
Tell me your thoughts on leadership versus management.
I have never been more impressed with a keto recipe than this one for Cinnamon Rolls, courtesy of Keto4karbaholics.
Note: I did not add pecans or use the ChocZero syrup and I was still impressed with the texture, taste, and inability to eat just one.
I’m super. And I’m a runner. Does that make me a Super Runner? Technically, yes. But probably not in the same category as those people.
On the super subject, for Mother’s Day I received a cycling helmet and sunglasses so I guess it’s official – I’m a cyclist. Hahaha I’ve done maybe 3 rides and now I’m a cyclist. Looking and feeling the part is half the battle to conviction so I’m getting there! There’s an upcoming Mini Triathlon I’m considering participating in. While I know I can ride a the route and I can run a 5k, too, the swim isn’t so much my concern as the way the day will rapidly heat up. In discussing it with McK, the worst that can happen is I end up walking the 5k…or she picks me up and I ride back to the finish line. With no entry fee, there’s not much to lose!
I also found this event: Tour of the Wichitas. The route lengths vary from nearly 17 miles to over 50 miles and it literally takes you on a tour of Ft. Sill, LETRA, and the beautiful area near Mt. Scott. As it’s only about an hour drive from me, I was considering it but am unsure if I can commit 3 hours to a bike ride. Interestingly, why are cycling events so cheap?!?! $35 to enter?! The last time I entered a half marathon, it was at least double that. Granted, there is no price tag to the medical attention I have found myself needing, but still.
_____________________
I ask you –
Would you try keto cinnamon rolls?
Can anyone explain the cycling vs running price conflict?
For those who dabble in the cyclist world, share some cycling suggestions!
(The post Cinnamon Cyclist first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
Not one to ever pass up an opportunity to be silly – a few examples below. I’m lucky my leadership plays along with my shenanigans.
Yes, awards are meant to be displayed but they’re not possible without the work, encouragement, and credit to those around me. 2023 was a wild year and I couldn’t have done it without the strong team around me. Really. This is all theirs.
Finally, it’s both a blessing and a curse that Parts works in marketing. Everyone and everything is fodder for jokes. We play too much. Amazingly, some questions did arise on how and where to vote for me. Although I’m humbled and genuinely surprised at the support, fortunately government jobs don’t work like this. And I had zero intention to run for this “office”, if you will.
It would be a shame if I was unable to run with all this pent up energy I’ve been experiencing. The actual volleyball intramural season is gaining traction, but I’ve made the right decision to coach/assist other coaches vs. play. Sure, the time commitment is still the same but I decrease the chance of injury by about 95%. My feet will thank me later.
_____________________
I ask you –
Are you a humorous person?
Have you ever coached a sport?
Share your best example of what not to do!
(The post Humorous Stuff first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)
Vision Board Event – where dozens of people go crazy with glue, magazines, and colored paper. McK, Parts, and I are making strides toward doing more creative-type projects and spending time together outside of the workplace. Not too bad to start 2024.
Now, the random: Unbeknownst to me there is specific terminology within the academia field that eludes to transitional terms. For example, whilst completing the coursework associated with a doctorate, the student is called a doctoral student. Apt. However, once the student has completed the required coursework and has begun the dissertation process, the student is now a doctoral candidate. Fancy. Also, there is a special kind of nonsense for those of us who simply can’t live without education called a Postdoc. Just as it’s spelled, it’s what a ridiculous person would do after they obtain a doctoral degree. No thank you.
Also unknown to me is the option of applying for grants and funding to further the research portion of my degree. A quick search resulted in a few Veteran-related PhD grants, as well as several scholarships. No harm in completing the applications.
Finally, no matter what others (…me) might say about the loneliness of this process, I’ve made some incredible connections, including forming relationships with others who have obtained their PhD and gone on to become professors and/or researchers. At this time, I’ve been conversing with a woman who wrote her dissertation on a subject I’m extremely interested in and am considering how to mold it into my own dissertation. She’s been kind and generous with her time, something I value greatly. More to come.
Finally, I never thought I would see the day that a few 8-10 pg assignments seemed laughable. Remind me in a few weeks how excited I always am to start writing again.
Happy New Year. Welcome to 2024. That’s the post. Really, that’s all I’ve got to say. I’m writing this at nearly 7pm the night before I publish a new post and I’ve just realized I don’t have a post ready. There’s many “in progress”, but none ready for full send. And that’s ok.
So, I hope you all have a wonderful Monday. I will spend mine deep cleaning mini’s closet whilst she’s away on another Tennessean vacation, calculating my 2023 run mileage (because that’s one of those in progress posts), and updating all the calendars (I have one for nearly every facet of my life).
Thank you for following me here at Running on Fumes!
Critical thinking skills – the ones that seem to be underutilized.
Painting = lots of thinking
Perhaps I’ve mentioned it before: my issue with people who leave their car door open when they pump gas. Not only is it lazy, it’s incredibly dangerous because seconds save lives. If you don’t have an extra second to close your car door, then you’ve effectively given someone who may want to harm you or steal your vehicle the extra second they need to do so. And this isn’t one of those “living my life scared” things. It’s simply a critical thinking opportunity.
Another example is when people are cooking. The ones who leave the cabinets wide open under the premise they might need back in the cabinet are the ones who smash their heads against the cabinet and potentially have a catastrophic kitchen accident. It’s lazy and dangerous.
My final example of critical thinking is also cooking related. Once something is cooked, it needs a place to go, like a plate or serving vessel. Usually. If you haven’t the forethought of what to do with the cooked item(s), then you’re wasting your own time, being lazy, and causing unnecessary chaos. This is why it’s important to be prepared. At least have a plan!
Lastly, a lovely woman heard me speak from the stage and approached me afterwards regarding not what I was speaking on but my manner of speaking. She asked if I’d always known I was gifted in public speaking. I was flattered but it had never occurred to me to analyze how long I’ve been comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. Since I was a child. She also mentioned the program Stories from the Stage, a show she watches regularly and admires. As she encouraged me to share my own story with the world, I began to entertain the idea. Maybe one day.
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I ask you –
How prepared are you when cooking?
Have you heard of the show Stories from the Stage?
Rate your critical thinking skills! A 10, definitely.
As expected, my foots need expert, aka surgical, attention. You know – for all that technology has accomplished, how come there’s only a few options for feet? I did all the others. The surgeon was quite incredulous when I requested to have surgery on both feet simultaneously. But I persevered! Eventually, he came around to my way of thinking but it took some convincing. First, he says it’s dangerous when you can’t walk under your own power. Then, he says the pain may be too much. His final attempt at dissuading me was my mental health. Something about suffering from depression when unable to run.
I counteracted his every argument by saying I will sit at home and be a good patient; I have a high pain tolerance; and it makes more sense to have both feet done to allow me to complete my coursework at one time.
Then, when I visited my muse, her advice wasn’t quite what I wanted to hear but valuable nonetheless. She said, “Kel, you’re still Wonder Woman, but it’s an unearthly expectation to do all the things just because you can.” Granted, her words stopped me in my tracks and made me reconsider my decision. For a time. It’s difficult considering all the unknown variables, including being unable to play in the intramural volleyball league as originally planned. Now, I’ll just coach!
My wingwoman and I
So, all this to say my mind is pretty much made up. I may come to regret it but both feet is the way to go. Despite the circumstances and outliers, I know I can persevere. And I will.
Yet every time you make it through something that doesn’t kill you or land you in jail, there’s this overwhelming feeling of excitement and gratitude. I live for it.
___________________
I ask you –
Any big decisions on the horizon?
Could this be the dumbest decision I’ve made? It very well could be.
Just when I get things figured out – BOOM! Another dumpster fire of doctoral proportions. Yes, I knew this wouldn’t be easy but I didn’t expect it to be so confusing either.
Allow me to elaborate:
Professor: Write this paper using my special outline with such specific instructions that you can’t deviate. 20 pages.
Me: Stressed. Writing. Done.
Professor: Now write this other paper using my super generic outline without context. 30 pages.
Me: But you want an outline? Of 30 pages? Copy. Paste. Done.
Professor: NOT LIKE THAT!
In other related news – the first part of this degree process was conferred. Whoohoo!
Allow me to bask in the accomplishment for a second. Ok, it’s over. I need to write more.
Intention: This will most definitely be a series of posts so I’ve named it thusly. Standby.
____________________
I ask you –
Have you ever been dumpster diving? Not purposefully.
Are you the creator of mixed messages?
Tell me something you’ve done lately that you’re proud of!
Running on Fumes 
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