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It’s Good To Remember Why We Started What We Started

I was trying to remember this morning when and why I started The Running Doe blog website. I couldn’t recall when I posted that first page and as we all do, the trail through the rabbit holes began.

My first official post was in February of ’16 and although it was short and sweet it was a definite reminder of the “why.”

I think we, as humans, all want our lives to have mattered when we’re gone and I truly believe that for the most part people just want to live a good life and share what they’ve learned with others. It’s about that right of passage…passing on what we’ve learned in life to make life easier for others.

The older we get the hotter that fire burns.

I love nature. I always have. I love learning new things and exploring new places. As I scrolled through old FB albums the common denominator with everywhere Wes worked was that I had days of exploring by myself and was completely comfortable with that.

Life is not something we’re tortured to get through. It’s a journey, an adventure sorta, with bills, responsibilities, trials and tribulations but also maneuvering relationships, experiencing new places and learning new things.

The Running Doe is about those things I’m passionate about…being out in nature, hunting, hiking, learning to do new things…and at one time I was an avid runner (hence the running part). I’m even passionate about those things I suck at and haven’t mastered yet 🤣.

It’s about my love of writing. I am a lover of words. It’s about using my life to make someone else’s better and in some cases just doable. I am grateful knowing that my mistakes in life, and there have been some doozies, have actually pulled others up out of their pits believing that if I could so could they.

That’s what it all began as and it’s still that almost 4 years later. It continues to evolve. Am I a know-it-all? Absolutely not, just ask my husband 🤣🤣🤣. But have I made my fair share of bad decisions and mistakes?

Yes!

Resoundingly YES! I’m just choosing to take those negatives and hopefully turn them into something positive and let my life stand for something good when it’s all said and done.

And really that’s something we can all do. Just use our lives to have a positive impact on others.

Our Mess = Our Message 🙂

Peace and love,

Kelly

Happy Earth Day 2019!

I am one of “those people!”

You know, one of “those” who doesn’t believe in global warming.

There, I’ve said it!  I just don’t.  I can’t wrap my head around celebrities who flit around on their personal jets screaming GLOBAL WARMING!  whilst emitting fossil fuels at an alarming rate.  They aren’t willing to give up their luxurious lifestyles, yet they’re DEMANDING that the rest of the world believe their hypocrisy and for us to change our daily lives based solely on their rants.  Nope.   It just doesn’t add up and personally I think it’s a load of crap.  A scam on people in general.

However, that being said,

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While at the dirt track races this past summer in South Carolina, I got introduced to the southern tradition of boiled peanuts.

Last summer, while in the Deep South, I experienced something that I had never experienced before…boiled peanuts!  We were at a dirt track in South Carolina and during a trip to the concession stand we were asked if we wanted to buy a “freshly boiled” bag…a tradition of the South.

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Who Knew That A Carmel Latte Could Be Medicine For A Lonely Soul

Whenever I am down in Springfield, Missouri I generally try and find a quiet, out of the way coffee shop to pass the time.  It’s especially inviting on rainy days when I need to slow life down a bit.  When I’m in town I try to make sure I have time to stop at some of my favorite spots.  Lifeway Christian Bookstore and  Barnes and Noble are on that “must stop at”  list.  However,  The Press Coffee and Juice Bar ranks at the very top.  It’s one of my best-loved places to frequent and if I’m needing to waste time you better believe that I’ll somehow find my way to a caramel latte  with extra whipped cream and a seat right by the window.

One of the reasons I love it so much is because of the atmosphere.  It’s low lighting and “windows for days”  ambiance keeps reeling me back for more.  The jazzy music playing quietly in the background, along with
having perfect access to the Farmer’s Market outside, makes it ideal for just chillaxin’.   People wander in and out for that quick cappuccino fix and it’s common to observe others intensely on their laptops doing the same as me…just hanging and doing whatever in a relaxed setting.

The food is also a favorite.  The Press has the most amazing basil mint lemonade!!!!  Oh my goodness…it’s the best!  However, my absolute favorite item on their menu is the Rice Quinoa Bowl!!!!!!!  Lawd, lawd!!!  I’ve tried both versions:  Slow Roasted Marinated Chicken and the Fresh Vegetable with a Kick (vegan).  Both are so yummy that I’ve tried to duplicate them myself but haven’t been able to crack that code.  I never knew what “quinoa” was, or even how to pronounce it, until Kirsten suggested one day that I try it.  Thank you, Daughter, because I’ve been hooked from the first bite.

The owner and the friendly staff is another reason I keep coming back.  The woman, who owns it, is extremely nice and always goes out of her way to strike up a conversation.  I have a lot of trouble making selections when I get to the counter but every question I have (which is often) I am met with an answer and usually a suggestion to try something new and so far I haven’t been disappointed.   Plus, it’s just a cute little place that almost feels like home…well sort of.

I had never been to a juice bar before and when my daughter suggested one day that we meet here for our Bible study I have to admit that I was a bit leary.  It was OUT of my comfort zone.  I’m glad I’ve got people in my life to PUSH me out of that “box” from time to time because the world is big and there are things to see besides my four walls.  If you ever make it to the south side of Springfield make sure you make the time to stop in and sit a spell with either a hot latte or that basil mint lemonade I was talking about.  You’ll be glad you did!!!!

Show some love today and give them a “like” on Facebook @ The Press Coffee & Juice Bar!!!!

Kelly 🙂

Let me begin by clarifying that I have never used the word “dope” in the context of something being “cool” EVER.  I am probably too old to use such youthful slang but I couldn’t come up with a better term  to describe my affection for this little slice of heaven that I,  honestly,  CANNOT live without.   There aren’t too many things I can say that about but
my essential oil diffuser definitely fits into that category.

Just what exactly IS an essential oil diffuser you ask?  Well what it’s not is a diffuser for your hair.  Yes, we all have one of those that never gets used but this diffuser is different.   Essential oil diffusers come in many shapes and sizes andhave different time settings ranging from one hour to as many as five hours.  Some will run even longer than that at one time.   Diffusers are an effective way to experience aromatherapy throughout your home because they  disperse essential oils as a fine vapor throughout the air so they can be absorbed gently into the body through the respiratory system.

I use mine every single day and night and have several throughout the house…one in the living room, one in the spare room, and one right next to my bed.  I even got us one for our RV because I can’t sleep at night without it.

My favorite essential oil to put in at bedtime is Doterra’s Serenity and every night before I go to bed I fill it with water, put in 3 to 4 drops of my EO.  I set it for 4 hours and I jump in bed for a great nights sleep.

The benefits from a diffuser are endless but my top three are:

• Relaxation and a restful night’s sleep (Serenity, Lavender)
• Mood elevation/uplifting  (Citrus Bliss)
• Immune system (On Guard and Respiratory relief (Breathe)

Restful sleep is important to me and I honestly don’t sleep worth a hoot unless I’ve got the diffuser going.  In fact, it’s on while I’m writing this blog and I’m getting sleepy.   In addition, in the morning when I want to start my day off happy and in a good mood I put a few drops of Doterra’s Citrus Bliss or some other citrus-y blend to uplift or elevate my mood.  When the grandkids are around I make sure to put a few drops of Doterra’s On Guard for keeping us all healthy.  For allergies and stuffy noses, I put a few drops of Breathe in to clear our heads.   There are so many other essential oils you can use but those are my favorites that I use ALL the time.

You can purchase  diffusers online or in some retail stores and they vary in price.    The ones I have, however,  are from…you guessed it…Doterra!    They’re good quality and have lasted me a few years now and I’m talking almost every day usage.

I’ve got plans for another day to do a blog on EO’s because I love them so much but for today I’ve got to brag on diffusers.  I’m even going to go out on a limb and say that everybody needs at least one.   If you’ve never tried one I highly recommend you do.   If you’re looking for better, restful sleep at night you owe it to yourself to give it go.  You’ll be glad you did.

Happy Diffusing!!!!

Kelly 🙂