Does this mean war?

Recently, I was quite taken aback at the request to remove “Dr” from my name. According to the requestor, it did not align with their commission’s requirements. I politely declined to follow their recommendations. Instead, I pushed back against the entirety of the system, calling them out for pursuing administrative burden for job seekers. Not a battle, but a war.

And I’ll continue signing it any way I want.

With daylight saving time on Halloween (of all days), I thought we could all use a little reminder of what is important. My sanity! A sweet friend sends out daily emails with good news, funny jokes, and, my personal favorite, Wellness Wednesday. A recent email resulted in the graphic above and I have been sharing it far and wide. For the mental battles, of course.

Funnily, while she’s sending encouragement, I’m sending a Wednesday email about how to be a better leader, mentor, or coworker, with the title “From the Doc (not me, a different doc) -“. Send me your email address and I’ll add you to my distro.

For mini, Wellness Wednesday is the bane of her existence. She loathes it because it means running laps. At her young, sparky age, she has yet to embrace the coexistence of running with long-term fitness. But she’ll get there. Just another battle.

Aren’t we all fighting one thing or another.

____________________________

I ask you –

What battles are you fighting?

And have you won the war?

(The post Does this mean war? first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Hello, Fall!

This time of year is definitely my favorite. Afterall, it includes my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. The bugs have finally all died and disappeared. The weather is perfect for running. And one can safely hide the extra pounds that may come from extra baking. Hello, sweaters!

Zombie Run 5k – Team Fitness

From the annual Zombie Run to some much-needed rainfall, Texas hasn’t started off too badly. I do believe it missed the fall memo though. We went from 90 degrees to 40 degrees. Fall typically lies somewhere in the middle but who am I to complain. I’ll take anything below 80 degrees. But, wouldn’t you know I felt like crap the first few days the weather was ideal for running. Figures. Nonetheless, I have hope this too shall pass and I’ll be out enjoying it soon.

tell me you have PMS in one photo

Soon, there will be posts of running, negative splits, and holiday baking. Those are my favorite!

____________________________

I ask you –

What does fall mean to you?

(The post Hello, Fall! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

More Random Photos with Captions

It took nearly a year but I was finally able to overhead press 60 lbs. I can remember trying to do it the first time and being sorely disappointed when it became evident there was no way on Earth I could accomplish it at that time. It was ugly, it was humbling, and it became a goal I must achieve. Ta-da!

I’ve also taken a liking to Kachava, a protein powder-type of drink mix. I love to mix it with Core Power but it’s still good, albeit thin, when mixed with water. The chocolate flavor is my favorite, but Strawberry and Vanilla are also good.

The Ninja Thingy!

I bought this Ninja portable drink mixer doodad a few years ago. It has sat quietly in my office until recently, and now I’m rueing the days I had the opportunity to use it and didn’t. It’s awesome!

Spontaneous, I am not. Really no surprise. But, occasionally I get a great idea which must be accomplished near to immediately.

Mini has been talking about a Dancing with the Stars special menu at Paris Baguette since the new season began. She believed the nearest location was Pennsylvania, and happily exclaimed she was ready to pack her bags for a trip. Me, on the other hand, not so much. To compromise, I found one in DFW. 2 hour drive vs a flight. Sign me up.

Fast forward, the drink was beautiful. Presentation – spot on. Drink taste? Ehh, Mini wasn’t a fan. It was not the sweet, frothy creation she enjoys. The coffee flavor was incredible, in my opinion, but it may be because they use Lavazza, a coffee brand I am a huge fan of. Try it. However, the croissant was amazing! Crunchy yet soft – definitely her favorite part of the drink, if you don’t count the tiny mirror ball on the toothpick. It’s the details, you know?

____________________________

I ask you –

Would you (have you?) traveled a few hours for a special something related to one of your favorite shows?

(The post More Random Photos with Captions first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Sentence Per Photo

Wanted: 3-4 friends who want to learn how to play Mahjong with me.

Photo by Mahmoud Yahyaoui on Pexels.com

Love this team; I’m always amazed at what they accomplish!

3QTRCY2026 Team Award

Every puzzle should be glow-in-the-dark!

This irks me – it was going well until I needed the extra weight and it messed up the entire visual.

I know this is a very random post, but I hurriedly wrote it when I realized I had arrived near the end of the week and had no blog contribution for the following week.

I’ll do better next time. No, I won’t.

____________________________

I ask you –

Have you played Mahjong?

Name something that irks you!

(The post Sentence Per Photo first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

I just can’t

A recent publication mentioned the inability to do nothing. It might have made this character trait out to be something negative, but I took no offense. Indeed, I am surrounded by many who also are ingrained with the inability to do nothing.

For example, the beautiful lady with me in the photos below. The left photo is semi-polished, “professional”, if you will. The right? Well, that’s our normal day-to-day ops. Laughing like hyenas. Usually while others stand back and watch the show. Typical.

Which brings me to my next point. Mini won student of the month for integrity. Super proud Mom moment. She, too, has an inability to do nothing, especially concerning righting wrongs. She is a loyal friend, a kind human, and a rule follower dujour. I am exceptionally proud – an “A” student, a book lover, and easily one of the most creative, bold children I know. She makes me proud, and laugh so loudly.

Course change.

For several nights, nightmares and sleeplessness plagued me. I dreamt my boss was the devil, my previous boss was seriously ill, and I kept hearing phantom knocking. Real exciting times, Kel. I wracked my brain for what could be bothering me, but arrived at zero answers. Perhaps it was just a bout of insomnia, or weather change, or general unspecified anxiety. It eventually passed. My only takeaway was this: some are frustrated where they are in life, professionally or personally, or both. I think learning to play the game is imperative, in whatever way it is for you. Some go on to live nomadic lifestyles, or expat themselves within another’s borders. That’s all well and good. But you can’t hate the game. It’s the game, it’s doing what the game does. You either learn to bend a little or you spend your entire life fighting it, most likely to succumb to death (like the rest of us) with frustration. No one is forced to play, and you certainly don’t have to like your hand, but if you choose not to change, then you can’t be surprised when the house wins.

____________________________

I ask you –

Do you have someone in your life who makes you laugh wildly?

Tell me – do you play the game or do you expend your energy fighting it?

(The post I just can’t first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Monthly Recap – September Edition

Not a humble brag, but I must share how funny it is to me when people act shocked I do strength training. My claim to fame – does infamous count – is running, not lifting.

For many years, I would run during the warm weather, then lift during the cool months. It was a cyclical balance and how I was trained. It worked so why not.

During last October’s 43-day furlough, who’s counting, I devoted more time to strength training, specifically employing a two-a-day method: a run/walk and a lift. For mental health, it was awesome! For physical health, holy crap! I got stronger, leaner, and the scale began to budge in incremental decreases.

When I added creatine this past Spring, I felt as if I unlocked the code for my body. Sure, there are days when I don’t have a lot of motivation. Creatine can’t fix that! But I regularly complete two-a-days, and I’ve now completed 8 strength training routines of 5-6 weeks each. I genuinely enjoy lifting, even if running is my true love.

So what else happened in September? I don’t know, I slept some? I completed a leadership cohort course, I was well on my way to death by heat, and I was selected for a fitness course slated to begin the end of October – the AF equivalent of a Navy CFL, which I was in my prior life. Definitely more to come on that subject.

I might have completed one puzzle in September, but I’ve picked it back up again. My closet collapsed – an entirely other ordeal of epic crap. I’m on a self-imposed shopping sabbatical. And I recall eating a lot of cake.

September was busy, but not as busy as the next few months, I’m sure. More to come!

____________________________

I ask you –

Tell me a few things about your September.

(The post Monthly Recap – September Edition first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

The heat is most definitely on

Title inspiration: every July, we host a 5k titled The Heat is On. Fortunately, for the last several years, it has not been above 90° at the start time. Misleading? Maybe. Appreciated? Absolutely!

Fast forward to today, we’re on day 22? 23? of consecutive days over 100°. It doesn’t best the record 100 days in 2011, but I’m not really interested in setting any records for heat. In fact, I have developed a new heat illness symptom that my doctor wasn’t pleased with. Shade, under 85°, stay dry and cool. Considering I have the Hotter’n Hell in a few days, this might prove challenging. Always winging it.

even the squirrels seek a cool spot of concrete

Let’s switch lanes here –

The other morning, Mini shared how she believes the Titanic sinking was a conspiracy. Pretty sure my eyes lit up like a Christmas tree – I love me a good conspiracy! Her theory needs some finessing, but the fact she came up with it was insightful and fascinating.

In other news, I’m secretly thinking of ways I can exploit her conspiracy tendencies. Maybe she’ll join me in the moon landing conspiracy. I’ll give her a few years to come around.

____________________________

I ask you –

What conspiracy interests you the most?

How many days will this heat wave continue? Please let it be only a few more.

(The post The heat is most definitely on first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Cooperation: necessary

The mental prompt: I was walking behind a woman while grocery shopping. Her shirt said something about supporting those seeking organ transplants.

The mental reaction: How angry would I be if I saw the recipient of one of my organs smoking, chronically eating unwell, and/or not exercising?

Answer: I would be livid. How dare someone take my free gift and not treat it like a priceless artifact.

Disclosure: I don’t know how often this happens but with morbidity and obesity rates what they are, I would not be surprised.

Let’s just do better, ok?

Not one to skimp on the “find some random crap to do every day”, I noticed my hips getting tighter. Could it be getting older? Could it be my running regimen, or lack thereof? Could it be the strength training splits? Maybe it’s Maybelline. I have zero idea, but, in an effort to mitigate the effects, I started stretching a bit more.

The forward fold really sucks. You won’t find me saying how much I love it, because I would be lying. Why not add a yoga block to the stretch to make it even tougher and more loathsome? Sure, why not. Yet the results cannot be denied. It hurts so good! The hips don’t lie. If only everyone could truly appreciate how funny I am.

____________________________

I ask you –

What’s your idea of a fun time? Tell me it, too, is learning a new stretch and repeating it daily until the muscle cooperates.

(The post Cooperation: necessary first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Reality Check + 5th Grade Draft

Another school year is upon us and I have a 5th grader! Yesterday she was in kindergarten so pardon me while I have a few nervous breakdowns. Who has just one?!

“Lately, it is difficult to tell who is winning the season as the draft picks are becoming trickier.” – a quote I made up by an unknown educator

Still, I’m convinced of my draft suspicions.

The first day went well. Eerily well. For now, excitement rings around having her own locker (top, because she’s tall), taking a snack because they have a late lunch, and her new class friend, a girl whose name I’ve never heard mentioned before. For now, everyone gets along and there is cohesion. It also helped the homework doesn’t really begin until week 2. Oh joy.

Somehow the summer flew by, but I’m hanging on to pool weekends for as long as possible. The weather is cooperative, boasting double digit days in the triple digits. Outside can best be described as “blow dryer with a turbo setting”. Truly, it’s so much fun.

I keep telling myself the heat will break soon and the perfect running temps (60 and below, please) will return. Again, this summer has probably been one of my best for still completing lift sessions outdoors…in the afternoons, no less! I credit the creatine/electrolyte mix coupled with the aforementioned pool recovery. Still, fall is just around the corner. On the other block, lost and confused, slightly inebriated.

____________________________

I ask you –

Anyone else anticipating fall weather?

(The post Reality Check + 5th Grade Draft first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Mission Accomplished

A few weeks ago, Parts excitedly told me at 40 I needed to start having annual mammograms. So I scheduled one. TMI I’m not sure how this all works with the diminutive size of my breast material but whatever.

I’m still a little bitter that Parts told me I had to have one. But shouldn’t she, too? We could have made this a joint activity!

On the anticipated mammogram day, I figured out how it worked. It will forever be known as “The great smash and dash!” Which oddly sounds like I’m committing a felony and is truly exciting.

Behold! My boob!

Ok, if you don’t think it’s funny that I’m making jokes about having a mammogram, then I’m sorry; feel free to never read my posts ever again. Yes, I am aware of the seriousness of breast cancer as I have a very close friend currently in the throes of chemotherapy which will be followed by surgery, then culminating in radiation. It’s serious. And my heart hurts for her. I am not making light of her situation, or anyone else’s. However, if you know me well, you know I have the absolute worst sense of humor when it comes to serious things, like death, funerals, and, now, mammograms. It’s my coping mechanism. Could be worse, maybe?

Fortunately, the results indicated no issues except a gentle warning I have dense breast tissue and I have been granted a reprieve until next year.

Other things -:

The week of the great smash and dash included the great grab and smash. I’m onto something.

100 lbs – Deadlift

70 lbs – Overhead Press

For context, 100 lbs is approx 70% of my bodyweight. And I’ve never lifted anything close to 70 lbs over my head. This “realization phase” was quite a success!

A week of reloading, then a week completely off from everything. Except running, of course. Then, I’ll start another 5-week routine.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

____________________________

I ask you –

For my mammary-beholden friends, have you completed your annual mammogram?

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