Holiday card outtakes
Every year I try to get a photo of the cats together for the front of the holiday card. It involves bribing them with a food tube and usually happens on the stairs – not the best setting, but that’s where they want to go and I’m just grateful to get them all in one shot.
We took the photo this Saturday, and I only had to do a bit of editing. Original:
Final:
Yes, we gave Ned a derpier face.
And now, for the outtakes. Since they are eating a food tube, we get a lot of funny shots!
Ha, such little goobers.
And now for an important question. We were struggling to find a template to use for our holiday card because most of the images are vertical. We finally found one, then I realized we used it in 2020 (with less images on the front). Think anyone will notice?! I think not.
A few little stories
I have so many little stories I keep meaning to write down. Let’s just get them all out!
Are you moody or just tired?
Well, the title gives it away, but the trainer jokingly asked me that at the gym Monday morning and I was like “Yeah, valid question. I’m just tired.” I’m not sure I’m fully awake until I leave the gym, most days.
(And I was ill or something that day. I got horrible cramps in the morning and took the afternoon off and SLEPT THREE HOURS then NINE MORE that night. I was tired!)
So that’s why I was never sore…
I’ve come to realize I use my back for basically everything I do at the gym and that’s why I’m only ever sore when we do chest presses. I just haven’t figured out a way to use my back to do them.
All joking aside, I’m relearning how to lift, which means going really light, and pretty slow. It’s getting better, and kind of nuts how different certain moves feel WHEN YOU’RE DOING THEM CORRECTLY. And yes, I used to be a certified personal trainer (many years ago). Eek.
I’m an artist, respect my craft
^What I wish I had jokingly said
When we voted last Friday I was STRUGGLING to get my signature to match the one I used 4 years ago. After about 6 tries, they accepted it. It was hard to use the stylus and screen at the angle they had it, and my signature isn’t always the same. When I told this story to Val and Tiff in Marco I said I should have said “I’m an artist, respect my craft! My signature has changed since 4 years ago!” Ha.
That’s a woman’s job
When we were in Arkansas, Steven was on his phone looking for our new friend Kevin‘s last name*. I (kind of jokingly but not really) told him “that’s a woman’s job – we can find ANYONE on the internet!” Then I went on with whatever I was doing.
The next morning I asked if he ever found Kevin, and he told me no (he hadn’t really looked that far into it), and I was like, let me see if I can find him, and FOLKS! I found him after ONE google search. ONE!!!!!!!!! I was pretty impressed with myself. Pro stalker level over here.
*The funny thing is when he introduced himself he actually said his last name but neither of us heard it! And it made me think about how I usually just introduce myself with my first name. Hmm.
It’s that time of year!
Time to start thinking about holiday gifts! The older I get the less stuff I want and the stuff I do want is sometimes pricey. When I’m making a holiday or birthday wishlist, what I generally do is just stop buying things I want/need for a couple months before and put them on the list instead.
Anyway. What’s a nice way to say “can we not do gifts?” Not because I’m cheap, but because I don’t want anything (I’m happy to buy something for someone else)! Unless it’s a plane. We are looking at Cessna 310s but if you are buying it for me I’d be happy with a 172 or 182. Or a Diamond DA40. Can you throw in the hangar too? Thanks!
Random Thoughts Thursday 471
- Happy Halloween! In case you’re like me and are well aware today is Halloween, but are generally confused about what month it is, I’d like to remind you tomorrow is November 1 and DST ends on Sunday. I know. Nutso. Time flies when you’re having fun.
- It’s been two weeks and Penny is still obsessed with the cat house. Even though it’s been hot some days (yesterday it was in the low 80s), she’s still hanging out in there, even going up to the mezzanine level! I’m glad she’s getting used to it, with winter on the way (and that she’s moving farther into it, so Snow Jr can come in as well). Good job Pennifer.
- I really wanted to do book club at the gym last month but it was a Colleen Hoover book, so it was a hard pass. I told myself I’d do the next one, no matter the book, and it’s a kind of self help book that I started yesterday and UGH, it’s just NOT for me. So much repetitive fluff! But folks on GoodReads said there is useful information at the end so I will stick it out.
- Have I mentioned I host a lunch break movie club at work? It’s like a book club, only we watch a movie on our own, then discuss it. It started out in my branch, but now it includes folks from all over the company. Yesterday we had our 16th meeting and chatted about The Shining. Here are the movies we’ve reviewed and next month’s:
- I’m in a phase right now where most (social, but a little of work too) digital communication feels overwhelming. And by phase I mean I have felt this way for most of the year and don’t see it changing. It’s me, not the people contacting me.
- I always forget nautical miles (which is how airplane mileage is measured) are 1.151x road miles. So when we have a headwind and it shows 90 kn, it’s 103.6 road mph.
- We’re not anywhere close to buying a plane but I have a tail number in mind! And it’s available! The last time it was used was Nov 2007 and tracking shows it “landing” on an island somewhere well off the coast of Portugal. Steven doesn’t really care for it, but this is just an imagination game, so it’s all good.
Pumpkin carving and other shenanigans
Gosh, I don’t remember the last time we carved a pumpkin before this weekend.
And I didn’t carve it! Steven did! I drew it for him though.
My mom asked if we could come to town for the family holiday photo, and my snis had already invited us to her pumpkin carving party, so this weekend made sense. Plus, it was my brother and aunt’s birthdays!
We drove in Friday, and hung out and had pizza with the fam (I was approached AGAIN in a pizza parking lot for a ride – it must be something about driving Steven’s car). There were games and a dance party after dinner.
On Saturday we went to the Farmers Market, got donuts,
hung out, (I) painted, did the family photo,
hung out at the park (and drove RC cars), had dinner together, carved pumpkins, then went out to a bar (all the siblings).
I hang out with people to chat with them, so I really struggle in loud bars. I couldn’t hear much. Still fun though.
On Sunday I painted a bit again (the kids did crafts) then snis and I got Starbucks, we all ate breakfast, and we drove home. Short but good trip!
(We would have loved to fly there but it’s a big ask to reserve a plane for the whole weekend and since we just had two weekends ago we didn’t want to ask again.)
Random Thoughts Thursday 470 Part 2
- Fun things first – here is my new mani! Those are leaf stickers under the gold leaf on my middle and ring finger.
- I feel crazy saying this, but being so busy at work, while exhausting, gave me a large sense of purpose. The intensity just needed to go down a notch.
- Last week when I was running that all day meeting I kept using “f/u” to mean follow-up and was snickering in my head about another thing f/u could mean. Buah ha ha. It’s the small things that keep me going, folks.
- I think my fave keyboard trick I’ve learned this year is ctrl+shift+v for pasting without formatting. This is LIFE CHANGING. How did I not know about it until now?! It’s saved me SO MUCH TIME!
- Some of my coworkers don’t understand why we’d want to use ChatGPT. I always tell them it’s to help me make writing go faster and here’s a perfect example. I sound way too casual in my work emails and appreciated the corporate jargon (I used some of it).
- I helped one of my coworker’s use ChatGPT to make something more concise and she said “Kim – I think I may like this program.” Heck yeah, girl (ha, I think that was my exact response to her).
Random Thoughts Thursday 470 Part 1
Lots of thoughts this week, so you’re getting two Random Thoughts Thursdays posts. I put all the “fun” stuff in this one, and tomorrow’s will mostly be work stuff and a photo of my mani.
- I hope you’re sitting down because this message is going to be shocking. My Garmin actually showed me a NICE message on Monday. My mind is STILL blown.
- I’m kind of sick of getting up at 5:00 am to lift weights at the gym. It’s weird – I don’t have a hard time getting out of bed, I’m not tired during the day, and I enjoy class, I think I am just over… having something on my calendar. Hmm. Today I didn’t sign up for class until I woke up naturally and saw I had time to go. Maybe I should try that more?
- I saw a gorgeous sunrise yesterday morning and it made me think about how I used to feel like I needed to be running during those, to fully experience it. I also felt that way with “good” running weather. It’s one of the few areas of my life where I feel FOMO – missing out on a weather occurrence. So strange. I finally stopped feeling that way after years of telling myself there will be other opportunities. There are going to be more sunrises. There are going to be more nice running days. All this to lead into me sharing that I can see myself feeling that way about flying – “we should be flying now because the weather is good!” I need to make sure I don’t get mentally hung up on that (even though it’s way more true – I can run through shit weather, we can’t fly through it).
- I finally painted last weekend after 3.5 weeks off. It’s normal for me to go through phases like this, and it felt good to “get back” to it!
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- I forgot to mention in my Kingsley Airfield post that I hid a rock there and it was reported found twice (by the person who found it when I hid it, and by the person who found it after that person hid it). It’s always fun when that happens. It’s rare if I hear back at all, so twice for the same rock in a span of a few days is neat!
It’s time to rekindle an old friendship
One of my favorite stories about Steven (that was in the vault until last night!) is from MANY years ago when we were eating at a Chinese restaurant with his entire family. At the end of the meal the waiter brought out fortune cookies and I grabbed one, and after I read my fortune Steven proclaimed that I took “his” fortune and grabbed it from my hand and ate it. The paper, not the cookie.
It was hilarious. I wish I could remember what the fortune was!
Ever since then I let Steven distribute the fortune cookies. He says there’s a method that must be followed. I trust him. Ha.
So last night we got Chinese takeout and Steven’s fortune was “It’s time to rekindle an old friendship,” which lead him to joke about how he doesn’t have any friendships to rekindle.
Which lead me to (jokingly) tell him he needs to make friends and (seriously tell him) I want him to find love again/remarry if I die before him so he’s not alone.
I know, probably not where you thought this was going.
So we were joking about potential people he could ask to marry him and I told him to practice a pickup line on me.
“Does your face hurt?”
“No… why?”
“Because you look like you fell from heaven.”
FOLKS, WE DIED LAUGHING. I am writing this from the beyond and this is a moot point now because we died together. Aww.
But really! What the heck is that pickup line?
He eventually realized it’s supposed to be “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?” Then we kept laughing and crying and my nose got stuffed up and my stomach hurt from laughing so hard.
He looked up different (better?) pickup lines and my second favorite (the first is too inappropriate to share) was “Did you sit in a pile of sugar? Cause you have a sweet ass.” HAHAHAHAHAH
He said he’ll be practicing pickup lines on me. I’m pretty excited to hear what ridiculousness he comes up with next! (This morning he interrupted my shower to say “I’m jealous of that water because it’s all over you and I’m not.” hahahahahahah)
You’re the runner!
I introduced myself to some neighbors on our street this weekend and they were like “You’re the runner!”
What a nice way to be recognized.
I mean, I could be the “a-hole who drives the Infiniti” in their heads but at least they called me “the runner” to my face! Ha ha.
My name is Jeff
Almost caught up, a week later! Last Monday we flew home from Eureka Springs, AR (4M1) with a stop in Jefferson City, MO (JEF). From Instagram:
On Monday we left 4M1 after noon and stopped at JEF for a short break. We saw the Missouri state capitol (from a distance), flight planned, and made a new friend John who let us sit in the cockpit of his Citation (have you ever seen Steven smile that big?!).
It was clear skies all the way to JEF then some clouds showed up. I’m so glad we were able to make it back in time!
It was so much colder than the rest of our trips. I had to figure out how to turn on the heat! We were underdressed when we got out of the plane at UGN!
Monday stats:
4M1 ➡️ JEF ➡️ UGN
4.6 hour total trip (includes run-up, taxi, and flying)
2 takeoffs & 2 landings
1 new-to-us airport (JEF)
1 new friend made (John)
We had a chill start to Monday – figuratively and literally – we relaxed all morning at Courtney and David’s (except for flight planning), and it was much cooler than it had been the three previous days. We wore pants instead of shorts for the flight back! It was 60°F when we left Arkansas and 46°F when we landed in Waukegan at the end of the day! Brrrr! It felt cold when we got out of the plane!
Courtney and David took us to the airport and hung out until we left at 12:35. It was much clearer out than it had been the previous two days (there had been a lot of local haze because of a fire, and then general haze from hot air, but I think the cold front pushed it out?).
We planned to stop in Jefferson City, Missouri to fuel and take a break. It’s a Class D towered airport and stopping at a towered airport was very appealing (to me) after three days of non-towered. I thought it would be really nice to have someone tell us what to do and watch for nearby planes.
We’d never been there before and played “where’s the airport?!” (successfully)
I forgot Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri! We could see the capitol building from the ramp (between our heads below) and from the sky when we took off.
Someone from the fixed-base operator (FBO) met us on the ramp to greet us, ask how long we were staying, and what services we needed, which as nice (we requested fuel). When we walked into the FBO several folks told us to help ourselves to the food in the fridge, which was also nice (I had a roll. Again, we need to get better at planning meals for long flights.).
We reviewed our plans for the second leg of the flight and realized we needed to leave ASAPy to get the plane back by 6:00 pm, when our rental ended.
But on the way out we talked to the same folks and their pilot offered to show us the jet they were flying (Cessna Citation).
I thought he meant show it, like, look at the outside, but we went in and sat in the cockpit and talked to our new friend John for a while (Steven said he knew what John meant!). It was fun. He was really encouraging, telling Steven that flying a jet is just like flying a prop plane. Is it though? Ha.
Then on the ramp we talked to an instructor and his student for a bit. Everyone was so friendly! We wondered if they usually see the same people all the time and it was unique to have someone different (us!) there. I love talking to people but I felt bad we were on a timeline.
I put my sweatshirt on for the flight back and am glad I did! It got cold enough in the plane that I had to figure out how to turn on the heat.
We did flight following on the way home since we were flying through an MOA (Military Operations Area) and figured they would tell us if we weren’t supposed to enter it at all. We didn’t have any issues, but I was scanning for military traffic the entire time and was exhausted by it and happy when we got out of there!
We were cruising at 5,500 MSL but descended a few times to avoid clouds. There was an icing warning at our altitude! Ice can form on the leading edge of wings (and other parts of the airplane) if you fly through clouds with water droplets and your plane is cold, etc. etc. and we definitely wanted to AVOID that.
It was a mostly uneventful flight! Just a bit of traffic, and changing altitudes to avoid clouds, and avoiding the ORD bravo airspace when we got back. We were pretty tired and happy to land at UGN and get the keys back right at 6:00 pm. Woo hoo!
We got home and fed the cats, fed us, and called it a night super early and I was asleep just after 9:00 and slept until after 6:00. We were so pooped! Next time we have to stay for a few more days when we fly that far, because the flying is tiring but mostly to spend more time with our friends!
Title inspired by a scene from 22 Jump Street. We couldn’t stop saying “My name is Jeff” on the way back.
Wandering Thoughts from the Trail
Lots of wandering thoughts from my run today!
Something I wasn’t expecting to be thinking: I wish we were flying today!
I thought I got my fill with the 13.9 hours last Friday-Monday, but seeing all the plans fly over the preserve as we were running made me wish I was up there. Maybe a flight to see some fall foliage.
Something I’ve been talking to a lot of folks about lately: What I’m doing to try to be present in the moment.
This has come up so much lately!
- Last week I was telling Sharon how my big 2024 goal was to “do less” and “waste more time.” She’d asked if I was cycling much this year, and I told her no – only once! Because I usually cycle on Sundays and I chose to sleep in and have a slow Sunday with Steven instead of rushing around, working out. Usually by the time I get to Sunday I’ve been working the last 6 days and just want to CHILL. It’s been nice.
- Tiff posted on Instagram saying she is struggling to be in the present moment and asked if anyone else feels this way, and I commented that I used to struggle with it a lot more but the less time I spend with technology, the easier it is. And I don’t just mean the distraction of my phone, but releasing myself from expectations I had put on myself on how responsive I need to be. When we travel I try to only be on my phone to take photos, for essential communication, and to look things up. It’s freeing.
- This week at happy hour I was talking to a client about how as we age we figure out what brings us joy, what is important, and what’s worth our time. And that helps be in the present too – when we actually want to be there.
You all know this. I’ve just been thinking about it more. And I acknowledge this is much easier for me than for someone with more family responsibilities.
Something I’ve realized about myself: I’m very suspicious of encouragement and compliments (in certain situations).
I received a lot of encouragement for my big all day partnering meeting at work this week and I found myself thinking “Are you only telling me this because you think I need to hear to do well because you don’t think I will do well without encouragement?” What the heck kind of thinking is that and where did it come from?! I know people were just saying that because they believed in me and wanted to share it but my brain was being so weird.
People were also very genuinely thankful and complimentary of it all and I found my brain doing weird things there too. I worked hard on it. I should be proud!
Something that fluctuates: How communicative I am.
A friend was telling me they’ve been so drained from communicating all day at work that they are struggling to find energy to communicate with friends and I 1000% get that. I’ve been so focused at work lately that I hardly chat during the day then at night I’m just in zombie mode. I’ve actually been surprised I’ve been able to be “on” when I’m at social events (that Celebration of Life, Steven’s high school reunion) or with people all day long. Maybe going into zombie mode is storing energy for later. Who knows. It upsets me when I’m with people I’ve really been looking forward to seeing and feel drained from life and it takes me a day or two of being together to feel like myself… then by then our visit is over. That happened a few times this summer and I’d like to do everything I can to avoid that.
Hi! I’m Kim, a 40-something-year-old living in northeastern Illinois with my husband Steven, and our cats, Khaleesi, Apollo, Starbuck, and Eddard aka Ned. My current main hobbies are running, painting rocks, flying, reading, and eating. I follow a vegan lifestyle and work in an account management role. I write about a variety of topics and consider this a “life” blog – a place I can share anything that’s on my mind. Please visit the “About” page to get a better idea of who I am! 🙂
