Go and Grow

Sometimes good leadership lessons fall into my lap. Sometimes I seek them out. A recent devotional passage spoke to me in a way I knew I needed in that very moment:

Basically, one must sacrifice the perks of leadership for the price of leadership. And, you will never lead at a level higher than the level at which you lead and believe in yourself. Influence is based on the bar you set for yourself and how your “buy in” truly represents who you are as a leader. A leader must be willing to pay the price of being the example, the price of going first, if they desire others to follow their lead. (Leaders Go First, a YouVersion plan)

Growth never happens overnight but sometimes it comes in a good night’s sleep, sharing a glass of wine with a sweet friend, or simply making peace with your internal monsters. This is probably just based on perspective but I’m subscribed to my own perspective and how it impacts others in the way I lead. I’m incredibly proud of my title as director because I try to be as direct as possible, especially when others rely on me to make tough decisions. Sometimes I get it entirely wrong. And I admit it. But sometimes I get it so right that even I’m surprised. haHA

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

Something else entirely surprising is when Parts talks about fixing things, like things with motors, and throws words around, like carburetors and spark plugs. I don’t know what household she grew up in but I just don’t have that type of knowledge. I can boost a car. That’s about it. I know what I like and what I’m good at. So if you ever hear me use the word carburetor in a sentence, I have absolutely no business getting dirty with whatever stupid idea is rolling around in my head.

Take the tools out of my hands. Save yourself.

____________________

I ask you –

Are you drawn to leadership lessons?

How mechanically inclined are you?

Tell me your tool utilization ideas, please. Something an intellectual unicorn like myself can actually use for good.

(The post Go and Grow first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Summer Update, finale

I was able to run on Monday morning which was truly the highlight of my workweek. It wasn’t blistering hot and I managed a few easy miles that I knew would carry me over until I could either run again or make it to volleyball mid-week. The volleyball happened first. We had a huge turnout with a few new faces and enough players to have 3 teams. My little volleyball dream has morphed into a following.

Mini attended a beach birthday party with a new friend, played too hard in the swimming pool, and spent her last 2 days in Cali on the couch resting. Indeed she looked exhausted at the end of the week when Spare Parts and I made the trek to retrieve her from the airport. Also, she immediately ran right past me into Part’s arms so I put her in her place. As I stood there dumbfounded. The nerve!

In doctoral news, this current class may be the death of me. No jokes. Despite being incredibly thankful the professor has painstakingly answered every question I have – soooo many of them – I still don’t know what to write to satisfy each module’s requirements. I would love for it to be more generalized so I can write the way I typically do; however, the expectations are so specific that it makes it feel impossible. I know there’s a lesson in this but right now I’m wallowing in stress and self-pity. Just a short time remaining until the sand and sea call my name from a balcony overlooking the ocean. In the meantime, mini will be glued to my side, talking endlessly, and entertaining me with her own brand of humor.

I hope I make it.

Finally, thank you all for tuning in these past 8 weeks for my sanity check during mini’s summer adventures. School will start soon enough and surely I’ll be regaling you with that experience. Hope you have an incredible Monday!

__________________

I ask you –

Have you ever attended a beach birthday party?

What’s something funny you’ve heard lately?

Tell me about your most recent struggle.

(The post Summer Update, finale first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

How Convenient

Somehow I’m supposed to say no to preordering the latest rendition of my favorite shoe. We’re pleased to announce the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 will be available in August. Just in time for fall training. I’ve narrowed down my color options, now to make the final decision.

Pink

Black on Black

New shoes sound awesome but you know what isn’t awesome? This heat. I’m simply counting down the days to my beach side vacation where at least the smell of salt water mitigates the humidity. I managed 2 whole runs last week – but one was sooooo good I couldn’t move well for a few days afterward. As a quad-dominant runner, it’s both a blessing and a curse.

Our new director arrived a short time ago. He will be referred to in writings as the Cali Cowboy because I’m so good at nicknames. At first, it was Surfer Boy but it turns out he doesn’t surf. On the bright side, McK and I didn’t get fired for our naming conventions. Within 2 weeks of his arrival, we received notice of resignation of a co-worker so now the Cali Cowboy has to play that role, too. He did previously state how he learns best by being thrown into the fire.

Welcome to the sh*t show, sir.

__________________________

I ask you –

Shoes: pink or black?

How is the weather in your area?

I should probably disclose my blogging interests before he reads about himself on here.

(The post How Convenient appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Summer Update, wk 7

So close to the finish line. This course, however…sheesh.

There are times when I will do literally anything to find a way not to write. Fortunately, it’s not often but some days are tougher than others. I’ll do things I absolutely hate just to avoid writing. With an upcoming vacation on the horizon, I feel a lot of pressure to get ahead in this course and write papers back to back. My mind is not cooperative. If I have to complete a paper while basking in the ocean breeze, so be it. But my mental stamina is suffering right now contemplating writing anything more than the bare minimum. Hopefully it’s just a phase.

What’s funny about July’s Book Club book is that no matter how much or how little I try, I will forever be attracted to the ocean. It calls to me like a siren song of proportions I cannot fathom. Or maybe I’m just ready for a vacation.

In other news, I received an invitation to return to game night! If you’ll remember several weeks ago, there was concern my Sailor mouth would ban me from all civil company. Alas, I behaved myself (minus the winning part, of which I did, of which no one really liked). So odd. This time I proudly announced “I came to win!”. No confusion there. And, Spare Parts won this time. We’re a bit of a force to be reckoned with.

Mini had an opportunity to attend VBS since she missed both Texas and Tennessee’s sessions. She makes friends like I do – presumably by talking too much and dragging them along on her adventures. It works for us. She has also befriended a much younger girl whom she reads to and plays in the pool with. Henceforth, I am prepared for inquiries for a baby sister when she returns. To be clear, we’ve had this discussion several times and my appropriate Naval answer is always “that ship has sailed.”

Sailed. And then sank. No possibility of recovery. She’ll just have to embrace being an only child. Somehow I have no doubt she’ll find a way.

___________________

I ask you –

Do you play board or card games? We played dominoes and spoons.

Are you the talker in your friendships/relationships?

Tell me your only child advice!

(The post Summer Update, wk 7 first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Angels and Stress, an Unlikely Relationship

I had an epiphany one (very very early) morning as I was thinking about and missing mini. Some parents describe their child as an angel, not necessarily in behavior (because liars) but just in the term of endearment way. I highly doubt I’ll ever use the term angel when speaking of mini and not because I don’t love who she is. But who she is isn’t angelic – she’s fireworks, she’s lightning, she’s demanding of time and attention, she makes you question yourself and everything you believe, she’s inquisitive, she’s HILARIOUS, she’s witty, and she’s brave. I could go on. She forces me to evaluate the little things. She encourages me to face my fears as a parent and as a woman. She’s my biggest fan and strongest critic.

Peanut butter whiskey + Cranberry = Liquid PB&J: also an unlikely relationship

You know who else is my biggest critic? Yours truly. For example, I received a deduction of 3 points for a Wk 1 discussion post regarding federalism and intergovernmental relationships. Remember last week when I said it was absolute garbage of a post and I lamented how I had been sooooo hard on others? Hello, pot. Meet my new friend. Here I was – down on myself for missing the mark, for not achieving a perfect score, blah blah blah. Sometimes I really must make a concentrated effort to remember that absolutely no one cares! It’s 3 measly points and impacts nothing. I still got an A. And do you think anyone will ever ask me what grade I got in the course? I’ll let you decide.

Lastly, throttling my desire to research the most obscure of topics and concepts is not fun. Whilst searching for an appropriate topic in my current course – Intergovernmental Relations – I found many topics I’d love to delve into but considering my past investigative history I thought it best not to. Ugh. Indeed I love to argue points not traditionally considered commonplace but I don’t fancy explaining them to the authorities. Alas, I’ll just find a vanilla topic and press on.

This final class to round out the 1st year is giving me a run for my money. Stress levels – maxed out.

__________________________

I ask you –

What was your last epiphany?

On a scale of 1 to put me out of my misery, how interesting do you think intergovernmental relations is? Negative 7.

Tell me a stress solution!

(The post Angels and Stress, an Unlikely Relationship first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Summer Update, wk 6

What a week! Also, I think I’m a little out of order in terms of photos. Meh.

We played some mud volleyball! If you’ve been following RoF for any length of time, you may remember my summer lack-of-success stories with attempting to form (or join) a mud volleyball team. This year my losing streak ended! Minus our team losing streak.

Mini had a photo shoot with cows – seriously – and did all the girly, outdoor things her little heart desired. She’s now a professional chicken wrangler, too.

Alas, my summer is also winding down. If only the heat would wind itself down, too. Ugh. It’s 80° at 0330. Send help. And a zookeeper because mini is out of control with this animal farm stuff.

__________________________

I ask you –

Have you ever played mud volleyball? Sand volleyball?

Did you grow up on a farm?

Tell me how to find a zookeeper! Google?!

Inner Circle

Unwilling to traverse nearly 4 years of blog posts to find where I’ve surely mentioned this before, let’s just pretend I haven’t and this is new information, ok?

Along the way, several instances of people whom I know – mainly, work with – have addressed me as Kel. And it makes me want to scream. You see, Kel is a very private name, like a term of endearment. It’s reserved for those closest to me, who have seen me on my best days and my worst, who know me. Kel is how I refer to myself. She’s special. She’s the voice I write in when you see something in italics. She’s Kel. The persona that most people see at work is decidedly not Kel – not until she speaks out of turn, gets loud, stands up, and/or becomes very authoritative. That’s Kel.

So, somehow, when I hear someone call me Kel who doesn’t know me like that, I cringe. And mumble under my breath. Indeed I love my name; however, it’s presumptuous to think anyone can call me Kel. One must ask for permission, to be invited into my realm of colors…or at least acknowledge that I’m very private about many things and maybe my internal voice is one of them!

Among other things that irk me are the removable pads inside sports bras. Just why? It’s nice to ensure everything is thoroughly clean; however, the amount of time I spend procrastinating putting them back inside the bra pockets is ridiculous. In terms of efficiency, it ranks last! Someone mentioned placing a few stitches around the seam so they wouldn’t come out. But then I examined my favorite run bras and they don’t even have the modesty pad. Which prompts another thought – what do I care about modesty? Have you read my blog?! I’m about as immodest as it gets. If you see my nipples when I’m out running, then you’re obviously searching for something to complain about. Modesty can shove it.

And I think that’s where those pads are destined: shoved in the garbage can.

__________________________

I ask you –

Have you ever had a taste of humble pie?

Do you like fried green tomatoes?

Rumor has it there will be a photo shoot with mini and cows!

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

Summer Update, wk 5

Mini has now taken her traveling show on the road by returning to Tennessee for the week. Post recital, she vacated her mother’s side in favor of extended family and more summer adventures. I’m not dramatic.

Recital 2023

My southern roots are showing. But only when it comes to food. Tennessee green tomatoes!

The remainder of the week consisted of our final volleyball session, excessive heat warnings, a few runs (before sun-up), and preparations for mud volleyball. More on that next week!

Finally: my apologies to the classmates I made fun of and (possibly) ridiculed for the atrocious discussion posts they have submitted. It’s my turn. Recently I posted the biggest load of garbage that has ever escaped my fingertips. All 1100 words of it. I genuinely had no idea what I was writing and it sounded stupid even as I did. So, please accept this piece of humble pie as a token of my respect. You were probably just muddling through. Because…same.

__________________________

I ask you –

Have you ever had a taste of humble pie?

Do you like fried green tomatoes?

Rumor has it there will be a photo shoot with mini and cows!

On Again/Off Again

Short of 2 instances where I cycled off keto, for me, it has been the best decision. I’ve lost weight, reduced fatigue, and – the main point – decreased migraines from several a week to roughly one per month. I know diet is a polarizing topic and keto is decidedly not for everyone but it’s where I’m at right now.

Back story – I’ve flirted with keto for many years and staying true to it is difficult. It’s restrictive. It requires a level of discipline I haven’t always taken seriously. The past 2 times I cycled off keto, ahem, crashed, was in March for my birthday and mid-May for a long weekend. At this point, I have no reason to say yes to carbs or sugar. Every day that is pain-free is a reminder of the brain fog and sheer pain of navigating the migraine cycle. So if being pain-free means not imbibing in the things I thought I couldn’t live without, then I’m ok with my decisions. It is tough sometimes saying no or modifying a restaurant order – hamburger, no bun, please – but I feel a million times better than I ever have. It’s not to say this is a forever decision; however, I can’t see it not being one either.

Sometimes I wonder what I’ll do with my life when I don’t write papers day and night? When my time isn’t dictated by the magical dissertation? What do I want to be when I grow up?

Training cycle has wrapped up. And even if it hadn’t then my running outdoor days have most definitely. 100°+ in the shade is a hard pass. Alas, I managed a 12 week plan culminating in hundreds of miles, stride workouts, and some quality time in the outdoors. I was careful to stay hydrated throughout the entirety but it is mid-June and it’s time to move on to something else. And that’s a good thing.

___________________

I ask you –

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Do you excel at running when the temperature rises?

Tell me something you plan to do this summer! Survive.

Summer Update, wk 4

Hold on, I have to scroll through my photos to remember what the week looked like. Ok, here we go.

First, it was a long weekend in celebration of Juneteenth. Mini literally spent every day on an adventure and swimming in the pool.

SeaWorld!

I love this age for her because she has so many stories to tell and perspectives to add to where she goes. Her emotions are always clearly written across her face.

Me? I wrote over 35 pages in under 72 hours. It was a lot. I knew the weekend would bring an inability to write anything – hello, recital – so I made the most of my time. Also, we attended an outdoor concert, the final one of the season. At first, there was huge concern because the TX temperature is soaring past the 100° mark. As heat is a no go for me, I brought multiple cups of ice water – alas there was a shady spot and a breeze. Win win.

Hellen Bach!

We played some volleyball Wed/Thur! Kylee, that statement is just for you. Unfortunately, I’m old and tweaked my back resulting in horrendous back spasms. It will take a week to recover and then I can tempt fate with the upcoming mud volleyball tournament! Because I’m dumb and don’t learn lessons.

Mini returned with a wooden turtle we named Hammy and the best hugs and kisses! She even practiced volleyball before the Thur night event. As she fell asleep, she said “I love you, mama. Thank you for letting me practice with you.” One day she won’t call me mama anymore, she won’t snuggle as close to returning to the inside of my body as she can get – but my baby she will always be.

__________________________

I ask you –

Have you ever had a taste of humble pie?

Do you like fried green tomatoes?

Rumor has it there will be a photo shoot with mini and cows!

Is a daily adventure your kind of fun or do you prefer a slower life?

What have you been doing lately for exercise?

Tell me some alternative back spasm remedies!