Drugs and other spooky stuff

I had an entire thought for this post, something along the lines of a refrigerator or a shelf, but now it’s disappeared like my desire to work a non-paying job. Yet I’m still doing it. So I guess this point is moot.

Mini participated in all the themed days of drug free week. I’ve probably said this before but I thought for sure I would have been offered a lot more drugs in life. Where was my chance to “just say no”? Can I try it now? Eluding to my a) current position, b) addictive genetics, and c) will to live despite present circumstances, I’ll probably continue to say no. If asked.

Photo credit: #musemom

And, of course, there was Halloween. I make far too many jokes about full-sized candy bars for someone who doesn’t eat candy. I wish I liked candy. It sounds delicious. Although I am partial to Reese’s Pieces.

Tiny spiders

My costume was minimal…stamped black spiders on the sides of my face and hand. I believe it represented how many souls I’ve stolen. Or eaten. Or whatever fun analogy exists. Muse? Oh where art thou?

Final thought: for over 90 minutes, which is probably considered less than average, we walked mini around neighborhoods to trick or treat. Halfway through the jaunt, I realized how much I missed the past 3 years while working through my PhD. It was nearly impossible to enjoy anything outside of writing because I was incredibly stressed by the need to write. I’m sad because I know I missed a lot and I cannot get it back. The fact I recognize how much I missed because I can see it now is even tougher. It was worth it, but how do you quantify worth when you missed entire Halloween shenanigans worrying about what you could be doing instead? It feels as if entire years disappeared from my memory. On the bright side, drugs didn’t do this to me.

________________

I ask you –

What has been your favorite Halloween costume?

Also, name your favorite Halloween treat!

(The post Drugs and other spooky stuff first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Coming out of the fog

Probably not a fully accurate title because, hello, brain fog. Although I do think it has gotten better. I’ve found if I pause a second longer and try not to be too hard on myself, then the full sentence comes with less effort. I’m also considering just acting as if I don’t know the English word by asking ¿Como se dice….(Insert thrown together syllables with a mild Spanish accent) in English? Really butcher both languages so everyone is as confused as your mental wiring.

What was the point? Oh right, Kel. The fog. It is a new feeling being fully present for mini’s return to school. I feel as if I unintentionally missed many small details due to being engrossed in my own academic journey. This is the first year in 3 I have not been navigating school when mini started back. Sadly, I don’t think I enjoyed her excitement as much as I could/should have previously because I was stressed about my own.

4th grade

On the drive to school, I asked mini what she wanted to be for Halloween. She was just as surprised as I was considering an event so far down the road pun intended. Last year, I couldn’t fathom anything beyond the following week. Now look at me! My mind was already in October!

Also, the brain vitamins sucked. Nothing new beyond a possible, mild placebo effect. Guess I have to do this brain fog thing au naturel. Copious lists and como se dice’s.

_____________________

I ask you –

How is the brain fog treating you? Or do we just call it forgetfulness and attribute it to old age?

(The post Coming out of the fog first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

I’m Just Here for the Nonsense

Mini is headed back to school! When did school supplies cost $100?!

The Week Junior

From a magazine subscription – the more we teach our children about civics, the more able they are to be informed members of society. Minus the misinformation part of society.

Why make plans and submit calendar dates when someone will color outside the lines and get what they want, upending all your plans. Still a bit heated.

Final thought: High Will, Low Skill, i.e., someone who is willing and teachable yet lacks the current skill level to perform above the minimum. Other iterations: low will, no skill. For example, my running motivation lately.

___________________

I ask you –

What nonsense have you encountered lately?

(The post I’m Just Here for the Nonsense first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Less Graffiti, More Greeting Cards

The title of this post is admittedly paraphrased from a radio show host who shared a sweet phrase she saw graffiti’d on a building: “It only takes a second to tell someone something beautiful”. Obviously, the radio host indicated graffiti is vandalism, but it made me wonder why not greeting cards? Why not share inspirational quotes and phrases, lick the envelope, and send it on its way? How much are stamps? Probably less than defacing public property charges.

Did you know commercial greeting cards originated in 1860? Me neither.

The several cards received. (not pictured)

_________________

I ask you –

I doubt many will answer, but have you ever grafitti’d something?

Do you send greeting cards?

Effective 13 July 2025, postage stamp prices will increase to $0.78.

(The post Less Graffiti, More Greeting Cards first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Authorship

I’m officially published!

You can read the full dissertation here: Immigration Federalism in the United States: Texas Case Studies. The next step is distributing the publication to the cities who participated in order to a) make good on my promise to share and b) hopefully produce valued change. Although only one of those is within my power, I’ll soon be applying for adjunct professor positions in hopes to share my knowledge of the policies and systems in place within local Texas communities. To say I’m humbled is still an understatement. Some days I am in disbelief my PhD journey has ended. While I continue to cheer on my friends who are deep in the throes of their own doctoral journey, I want to forever remain a valuable contributor to higher education.

The bound work arrived in the mail – all 6+ lbs of it. 6 POUNDS! It looks like it belongs in the Library of Congress, so said my spouse. If all else fails, I’ve created a massive paperweight.

This is also mini’s first year taking the standardized tests of all public schools. Right, wrong, or indifferent, I believe testing has a purpose yet after the anxiety-ridden day I experienced for her first of two tests, I’m beginning to believe and finally fully understand testing is even more difficult for the parents! At the time of this posting, she will have finished both tests and is officially free and clear to enjoy the final weeks of her school year. Then, we can do it again next year! When mini asked how many tests she’ll take in her life, I stated she would be continually tested…and tested. Tis the circle of life.

———————–

I ask you –

Do you experience test anxiety or discomfort?

What advice would you give a young student?

Tell me your most difficult test.

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

Pretending

Name that tune.

If I don’t start doing things with my life, I may be forced to research blog topics to keep this one going.

Name something you pretend to like! I really struggled with this question. The two people I asked upon hearing the question were met with resounding answers: a specific person, and their job. Definitely answers.

Even at this moment, I haven’t come up with an answer. I’m loving hearing others’, just haven’t come up with my own.

The photo below is an indicator of what goes on behind closed doors, aka Parts taking a math test. For 4 hours!

Other things –

Spent some time in the dark last week due to a power outage so I ate my standard salad in the fitness center lobby with my feet propped up. Glorious break.

There’s a nearby home with both a for sale sign and a garage sale sign out front. I’ve often wondered what the inside looks like. Bonus points for the continual police presence. Finally got my chance to poke around indoors – beautiful high ceilings, missing carpet, and a borderline hoarding issue. Hopefully someone rich will renovate it with an open-to-the-public invite. Nosy.

_________________

I ask you –

How long have you ever been without power? 23 days. Yes. Really.

Any guesses on Parts’ math test grade? Hint: it wasn’t pretty.

Name something you pretend to like!

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

Questionable Encounters

One night, whilst mini was supposed to be going to sleep, she suddenly became the wizard of past bygones. As she mumbled on and on about her dislike for some unintelligible classmate who had annoyed her that day, she turned the tables on me. “Mama, did you ever have someone in school who annoyed you?” Unwilling to name anyone from my childhood, I casually deflected to a generalized answer about how I was sure this happened to me at least once. The resulting dialogue ensued-

Mini: Mama, I ask Papa and Daddy these questions and they tell me who it was. Like, Terry stole my lunch money and Jon/Joe/Dean was really annoying. You never tell me what happened!

Me: (again, unwilling to name someone with whom I had a poor encounter with over 20 years ago) Honey, I don’t remember the names of all the people who annoyed me a long time ago. I’ve just forgotten.

Mini: (now animated and definitely not going to sleep) How can you forget?! These are the people who annoyed you! I remember everyone who annoys me! (…so says the girl who can’t “remember” to brush her teeth every day)

To think I have a PhD and still exhibit the eternal sigh of weariness. She exhausts me.

———————–

I ask you –

Does your child(ren) ask questions like this?

Can you name specific individuals from your childhood who annoyed you?

Someone once argued with me about women being wizards. The person said only men could be wizards. Is this true? Why?

(The post Questionable Encounters first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Spring Break Recap

running debut!

To think a few years ago the most difficult part of my weekend (and week days) was figuring out when to do a long run. To think carving up to 2 hrs from my day was nearly impossible. Ha. Now, I know I can do anything.

apple

tree

Once I received the running green light on Wednesday (happy birthday, Kel), I ran my fastest mile since Nov (13:10!!) and played volleyball. Although this coaching gig is fun, I’d much rather play.

Spring break was quite the whirlwind of a week. From high emotions to adventure parks to a major wind storm and a furlough avoidance, March is shaping up to be one for the books. Speaking of books, I still haven’t read this month’s book club recommendation.

_________________

I ask you –

What currently takes up most of your time?

Do you/have you ever coached a sport?

Vote here for Spring Break for Adults!

(The post Spring Break Recap first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Comfy Corner

I originally wrote this post in early 2024 so I thought it fitting I publish it today, one week prior to the scheduled dissertation defense which has consumed my life for a long time.

PMS sucks. I find myself with a lowered patience threshold than usual. Just the little things. However, I often have some really creative ideas during this time. Like this – a reading corner! The plan is to restructure my writing desk and general PhD-making setup into a reading nook upon graduation. I’m not certain what the original thought was for this alcove of a room attached to the formal bedroom. It developed, for me, into a bookcase/writing desk/storage square. Obviously, at this time, it’s where student magic happens.

Sidenote: I do understand how some people can only write or work in their “designated space(s)”. It is a mental act to have all the right conditions when it comes to concentration. One would think I have trouble with being so close to the bedroom, literally within eyesight. However, I believe it was very strategic on my part because mini can wake up and SEE me working; therefore, I’m preventing a mad dash down the hallway and/or her getting up at the crack of dawn when I’m busy. So far, year 3, this is working.

Image credit: Amazon

Anyway, a reading corner complete with oversized comfy chair, foot rest, end tables, and probably a fake plant. Because…death.

Often it feels like this stage of my life is never-ending and I will literally be writing forever. However, I know it’s untrue. I think. Maybe? So planning small rewards – or refocuses, if you will – breaks up the monotony. Like when I forget to check what day my interlibrary loan book is due. Or when I forget mini’s age because I’ve just regurgitated from memory every family member’s phone number, email, blood type, address…you get the point. Forgive me when I can’t do it all! Mini has not let me forget this yet.

My point is I need a place to read and gather my thoughts before the day attempts to steal every remaining functioning brain cell. Can you blame me?

_________________

I ask you –

What would your comfy corner include?

How much time does it take to get your thoughts together?

Fake plant vs real plant. Your preference?

(The post Comfy Corner first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Television Time

Prior to last week, when I began the data collection portion of the dissertation –

With ample time on my hands, I’ve found a few television shows which have caught my interest. Besides football, I don’t watch anything. Stupid Cowboys. And now that I’ve returned to near fulltime at my desk, finding time for shows is a challenge.

Nonetheless – first, Landman is wow. I find myself wrapped up in the wild wild West of its characters, as well as the insanity. Then, Lioness. It’s difficult to watch for me, but the story sucks you in. Finally, Going Dutch, a lighthearted military show where I find myself ruefully shaking my head. It’s hilarious in an unbelievable-but-entirely-plausible way.

Picture this –

(dinner table scene, late at night. about 5:30pm. whatever)

Mini: *speaking endlessly* And you know what?! *with much righteous indignation* We have to work with each other to solve math problems. I appreciate the concept but … *more chatter*

Me: *practically snorting laughing* So, you’re telling me you don’t like group projects?! *finally, someone who understands my plight* Our whole lives will be filled with group projects where one person does all the work. It stinks.

(end of scene)

Run motivation! A beautiful emerald/teal/green. And the discussion above is why I run.

_______________

I ask you –

What shows are you watching? Any of the ones I mentioned?

Do you predominantly buy bright or dark shoes?

Share your dinner time conversations!

(The post Television Time first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)