Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Am I a Runner After All?

Tunnel To Tower 5K, Kabul, Afghanistan 2010

So... I have run a few 5Ks here and there, even one in full combat gear, the Army ten-miler this year, planning on a half-marathon in February and as it appears I have now been suckered into a Marathon in March.

I run fairly regularly, I am part of a local Hash (still need to be named) and there probably isn't a week that goes by that I don't log 5-15 miles... but a "runner".. oh my, I couldn't call myself a "runner" yet.  I'm not among those elite, the "I can run at any pace, anywhere, for any distance" people that I idealize and put on a pedestal, am I?

Julia trained with me for the Army Ten-Miler and we ran just about anywhere:

• Dirt "track" at a high school, for 20 laps; surprisingly one of my favorite runs
• Over the rolling hills of South Carolina, which I do not recommend 
• Blazing hot WO&D trail in Virginia "maybe we could just run later, when its not high noon" "YEP!", also not recommended
• The suburbia paths of Sterling, VA

She is a great partner, we encourage and motivate one another, we push each other to run harder and longer and its less competitive as it is sisterly love.   Unfortunately she went off to save the world one African country at a time and won't be back for two years.

I've also run on my own, since I was left for Africa I had to...  so I run through the woods, through shrubs, along highways, on the beach, through every residential area I know... and oh the bike paths.

Thats us, the super excited ones

Ethan ran the Ten-Miler with me since the Fireman is still recovering from foot surgery.  We joked and made rude comments and vulgar remarks and had offensive conversations and sang hymnals and cadences pretty much the entire ten miles.  It was great.  I haven't had so much fun for 90 minutes straight in a long time!  

I stopped by his place this evening to go for a run after the run we talked about the Marine Corps Marathon we have agreed to take on next year.  The agreement went something like this:

*ring ring*

W: Hey, Ethan, whats up?

E: (solemnly) Wendy, I think we might have to run the Marine Corps Marathon next year.  

W: (matter of factly) yeah I know, we are.  

E: What?! No! That was not the response I was hoping for!

This is my "Finish Line" pose

Army Ten-Miler Finish Line

So I found a training program and informed him we were "Intermediates" not "NOVICES" and he quickly disagreed.  

No, we are in the military and we ran the Ten-Miler, we aren't Novices.  So as we reviewed the training plan Ethan's cold feet turned attitude turned to an anxious excitement.  I don't want to wait til next year, let's do one soon.  

SOooooo... now we are training for the DC Rock n' Roll Marathon in March.  17 weeks away... the training program is 18 weeks long.  Good call Ethan, Good call.  

Hopefully by the Austin Half-marathon in February I will be able to come to terms with the all important title and finally consider myself a "runner".  Yeah, probably not.

 I'll get there one day.  

Tunnel to Tower 5K Shadow Run, Kabul, AFG

Marathon Training, Day 1

April Showers bring Baby Showers

My great friend Janelle is having a baby!! Check out her blog called 'The Bump is Only the Beginning'.




Now... I went online to check out her gift registry... and I decided on my gift theme.




Baby Bathing.

I always feel as though the mother should benefit from the gifts at a baby shower... yes yes she doesn't have to buy them herself and yes that is nice. Regardless, really I want to give her something that will make her days easier, make mothering easier and make her enjoy the time with her baby more often and well Baby Bath Time is just so fun.




So i went to Babies R Us and I had a budget set. I could not find the registered baby bath so I went with the best I could find... a 4 stage newborn to toddler bather... and it transforms!

now to figure out how to make it presentable without wrapping it (i didn't buy wrapping paper)

so i swaddled the sponge frog (the sponge is the newborn bathing stage) in the Posy flower towel, which matches the nursery, with the Johnson's and Johnson's bathing products, because there is nothing better than a baby washed in J&J

and seeing how Janelle and Jason (the parents) = J&J, its just that much better.

Next I swaddled the smaller items in the washcloth and put it next to the frog.  I set up the Baby Bath with the bath cradle inside it to create a resting place for the Baby Frog. 

With the Frog laying at an angle and the smaller items next to it I merely filled in the empty spaces with the additional items.

Johnson & Johnson's Baby Travel Kit 

and since I couldn't resist... a few pairs of so cute socks from newborn stage to 12 months (can't have too many pairs of socks)

So here is the end result... a baby bath full of baby bathing gifts.  My solution to my own decision "NO WRAPPING"

it still hurts, but happiness is the end result

I've talked to friends about bad break ups and the ups and downs... my words to them are echoed back and I am forced to hear them, and I choose to learn from them

break ups hurt, no doubt. You may find out what someone doesn't like about you,
that your dreams don't align with theirs,
your choices are not what they want,
your lives are on a continual parallel pattern,
or even deciding for yourself that they are not what you want
the tearing apart is hard no matter what
realizing you have put your time emotions and heart into something that you now know is not what is best

but not knowing why...
not knowing the reason...
having no knowledge of what, why, why not, the unknown is the most difficult

I move on pretty quickly... I moved a bit as a kid and I learned that focusing on something new makes me forget what I have left behind.
I don't always realize that others may not move on as quickly, may not forget, may not find distractions as easily as I may

I didn't realize this until I experienced it for myself AND was told of how hurtful and drawn out the pain this can cause is

Looking back and seeing smiling faces, pictures of happiness, carefree and sure of what I had...
and knowing that it all disappeared without a trace of explanation, no word of why, no harsh words
no tears during conversations, no pleading, no understanding, just the looming and drawn out emptiness and confusion of the unknown.

What clues did I miss?  What wrong steps did I take? Which words should have been omitted? What should I have said? Where did I go wrong on a path that seemed so safe?

It does not matter, I will never know, I must learn to tread carefully and look ahead as I take new steps
but also I cannot build a wall, I cannot hide behind my fears nor can I shine a light down the path to see the turns and doors ahead
I cannot allow set backs, tears, heart break, and wrong steps to scare me into a stand still
I will keep walking, I will keep my head held high and I will take every step with the confidence and knowledge that I am who I am, I am no better as a result of my past unless I learn from it and become stronger, I am worse from my past if I stop walking, do not recognize my mistakes, or refuse to learn from my mistakes
My past makes me who I am and I am better because I have chosen to learn, chosen to be strong and chosen to continue on.  I walk with my head held high and do not allow my faults to hold me back,  instead I take my mistakes as steps, difficult as they may be, steps toward a wiser, stronger, and more understanding woman.

I am happy



*FYI, I very typically will write about something in the past that has effected me but now is just a good reminder of where I've been.  This is no different, past break-up(s) not current ... check out Transformation from Sept of 2010, written when I could finally look at the changes I had made without being hurt by the situation and circumstances which called for the change.  Its all a growing process*

Dinner is Served... regardless of the recipes reviews

this is our Conceptual Plan
Tuscan Salmon with Rosemary Orzo and the reviews on Epicurious.com weren't so great...
but after reading through the reviews I decided those people were wrong and I could make it better, or as the recipe had intended it to be.
The recipe is as follows

• 6 ounces orzo
• 2 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion, divided
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 4 salmon fillets (5 ounces each), skin on
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Cook orzo as directed on package until al dente. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook 1/2 cup onion and rosemary until onion softens, 9 minutes. Combine with orzo in a bowl. Season salmon with 1 tablespoon basil, salt and pepper. Heat same skillet over medium-high heat. Cook salmon until golden, 5 minutes per side, flesh side down first; set aside. add garlic and remaining 1 cup onion to skillet; cook until soft, 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and olives; cook until tomatoes break up, 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat; stir in parsley and remaining 1/4 cup basil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve fish over orzo; top with tomato mixture.

this is the planned end result.

Here is how it went in our kitchen...

I opted not to do the parsley as I don't find that it adds anything substantial (and the grocery store didn't seem to have any small quantities for sale, I have no need for a bundle of parsley) 

take note that it did not specify what type of onion, so I went for a typical onion.  nothing fancy or out of the ordinary.

Loki came in the Kitchen when preparations were under way,

thats the full filet of salmon he has his sticky curious paws on... 

guess what happened next

no... he didn't get it.

 my ingredients, chopped, halved, diced and sliced.
The orzo was quick and easy, the rosemary and half of the onions went in and mixed with the orzo and required a good amount of salt to bring out the hidden flavors... Ashleigh and I felt that scallions or a sweeter onion would have gone much better as the typical onion used had a hint of flavor that had a bit of a sweet taste to it (from the sauteing most likely) but if that had been played upon more then the orzo mixture would have been really a hit.  Also the rosemary needed to be FINELY chopped as it was just "chopped" and since it does not soften very much in the saute pan the texture was a bit distracting in contrast to the orzo.

My completed dish. 

The Salmon cooked quickly and I feel there could have been a better way to incorporate the basil rather than spreading it over the salmon during the stove top cooking... but that is just me and I don't have a better idea.

So in conclusion this dish was really quite nice! the Orzo combined with the strong flavor in the olives and the delicate tomatoes went very nicely with the salmon.  It was balanced, nothing out shined anything else, the Orzo would have been really great with scallions though.

It was very quick and easy to make though, I definitely recommend it, the orzo goes a long way and when purchased at a good price.

Anything tricky?

I must say, men are great. (I know I'll get a bit of crap for that from some, but its true, and I am hoping to stay in good graces at the moment)

My "hardy" Toyota Solara has always been a time bomb.  She ticks.  Almost like taunting me, and she drinks oil like its water.  well, perrier water, that is.  3 qts in about 2 weeks.
"She must be smoking or leaking", you say? not the case.  She drinks it all, and then asks for more.

Then she began a steaming trend.  I took her in to Jiffy Lube for ONLY an OIL CHANGE.  I was clear when I told them, "I only need an oil change", as my Solara sat ticking and taunting and steaming in the pull through lane at Jiffy Lube.

The mechanic looked at it, looked and me, looked back at the time bomb and said, "its ticking"
I paused "I know, it have a valve thats messed up.......     just an oil change, I'll be back in 20 minutes"

"wait lets open the hood, how low on oil is it?" the Jiffy mechanic asked me
we both look at the front of the car as it billowed steam from the hood and he says to me, "its smoking"

"......... yeah, it is, ...............I put 3 qts of oil in it 2 weeks ago" I said as he lifted the hood

"WHOA" he steps back as the hood lifts and the steam bursts out from just behind the grill

we both look where the steam is obviously spewing from, a long crack on the front of the radiator

"It has a crack" he said to me matter-of-factly "its steaming from here, its cracked" he says and points to the crack in my radiator

at this point I was done pointing out the obvious with the idiot...

"a crack?" I repeated back to him sarcastically surprised "right there, a crack, thats where the steam is coming from, the crack?" I stared at him blankly until he came to the realization that I was aware of the crack and was mocking his stupidity.   "yeah, I need an oil change, I'll be back in 20 minutes"

I drove away with my friend to have lunch and called a certain man.

"so apparently my radiator has a crack", I told FiremanDave.
"Oh, yeah?"
"it must have just happened this week because it has been steaming only for a few days but it hasn't over heated or anything, I would have noticed that and been concerned"
"ok well we can replace the radiator, no problem"

and away he went on the phone and on the internet and the questioning began...
"what make, model, and year is your car?"

"which engine"  

"this is the price, you want it? I can put it in"
"YEA"
next day I had sushi on the tailgate of the truck while FiremanDave put in my new radiator (actually it was the wrong radiator they sold him, and he spent the next few hours online looking for the correct one and model number then tracking one down and picked it up the next day, took 10 minutes to put in)

.... where are you going with this, Wendy, you may be asking?

Well as long winded as it may be, I just introduced my current ride. Thats right, while my Solara is under the weather I get the Green Hornet! Fireman Dave's #3 vehicle.  1986 Ford F-150 XL, rust and all

Which at the moment will not start because I have killed the battery.

on Skype video chat
"hey, so is there anything tricky about jumping the Green Hornets' battery?" I asked Fireman Dave with a straight face
"uh, why?" FiremanDave gave me a side glance
"just, checking, I don't want to get stranded on the side of the road?" holding back a guilty smile and keeping a steady voice
"did you kill my battery?"
"I just like to be prepared, thats all" still maintaining a straight face
"did you leave the lights on?"
"maybe for fifteen minutes" straight face "or 2 hours" I smiled and broke
"more like 2 hours" stated and questioned in the same words
"ok, maybe 2 hours" I grinned to smooth over the statement  "so, anything tricky?"

I really do take care of the vehicles I drive. Just ask my co-workers in Afghanistan!! Please, someone vouch for me...

Breakfast Feast

FiremanDave, Ashleigh and I made breakfast this morning. It was a late night idea we had after consuming great sushi for dinner.
After the sushi we went to Wal-Mart for a movie and bacon.
We also ended up finding a football to throw down the aisles and over the rows of sporting goods.
Then we found bicycles. Bicycles were a hit and could have greatly increased our shopping time had we been there to buy more than bacon. FiremanDave and I proceeded in racing down aisles, playing chicken in the lanes and creating bike obstacle courses around fallen merchandise. Wal-Mart is a GREAT place. not only do they have fresh produce but where else can you buy everything for your life in one place?!

back to breakfast.

I was in charge of pancakes.  These are blackberry and blueberry pancakes, perfect circles!

Finished product.

 FiremanDave, being the man was in charge of crispy bacon.

Ashleigh took on the friend eggs, and this is our finished feast.  

I have to say this was one of our best breakfasts in a while.  Thank you FiremanDave and Ashleigh

49+/- Birthday Bash

my dad turned an unknown age yesterday. oh course any one can do the math but the mystery is great. Byrd Birthday Bashes are truly great events. I don't think I've ever seen him so happy. He was surrounded by beautiful women great beer and Irish music, thats hard to beat! Granted the women were all related to him in one way or another and the beer we were all drinking was on his tab... but nevertheless he couldn't have been happier.

Dad showing off his newly grown out beard and 'stache

Sally, his lovely wife planned an Irish pub party and let us all in on his super secret present, a new iPod Touch. Not only would he love it but it would free up her iPod Touch which he never seems to put down.

Regardless of all the 86'd items on the beer list, and the dinner menu, the absolutely terrible table service at dinner and the ear jerking live Irish music we had the best dinner ever. With $2 "Happy Birthday" hats and $6 glow stick necklaces we dolled up, laughed and sang along with the live music.

Dad and Sally sporting a lovely pink and blue glow necklace.

Me and dad, accessorized with hats and glow necklaces to show our cheer.

Julia and Ashleigh pre-dinner, post-presents

We all had a great time celebrating with dad and Sally on dad's 49 +/- birthday. Thank you for the party and the great company.

Happy Birthday Dad.

Giving "the Gift of life" but less sappy

first of all I don't see my self having kids. Some people say that will change when I'm "with the right person who also wants kids" but I think I know best.

So why not donate my unused, unneeded, unwanted, neglected eggs, as I am certainly not needing them right now.

Why not. Why not donate my eggs, make a few bucks, give a couple the chance to have a child they wouldn't otherwise have.

I'm thinking about it. I'm thinking, who wouldn't want that beautiful baby to be theirs .

Come on. Look at me. I was about 18 months old in this picture and an ANGEL. I'd pay thousand of dollars to have that kid if I was a baby yearning lady. My family history is perfect, I have pretty great genes and well I'm not exactly the town idiot.

And of course $6,000+ a round doesn't seem to push me away.

The emotionally implications and draw backs.

"there could be a little Wendy walking around somewhere and you will never know it"

my mom told me once that even when we, my siblings and I (Byrd babies), were out with a sitter we could be identified and spotted from across the grocery store. If a baby as cute as I was is walking around with a happy mother who paid with blood, sweat, tears, heartache, time, money and not to mention child labor then I'd say she has earned the adorable little "wendy baby"

we'll see how the process goes, if I go through with it.

Domesticated. Who knew?

It didn't occur to be when it started. Ashleigh wanted to make cornbread from scratch and I said I'd make chili to go with the cornbread. No harm. No foul.

both turned out well and on with our lives we went.

One evening, Ashleigh was looking up Chicken Florentine recipes online.That evening we feasted on a homemade meal and even had a friend to accompany us.


For dessert Ashleigh made chocolate and cranberry truffles, think Godiva chocolate rolled in a chocolatey powder.Even as small as they were one bite would nearly consume your taste buds and overwhelm your senses as they melted in your mouth.

Still this did not clue me in to the fact that we were becoming quite domestic.


Keep in mind these are the same girls we instead of waking up for a Lunar Eclipse, eyed the bottle of white wine and stayed up for the Eclipse, laid in the parking lot swaddled in blankets and giggled our way to the 1-3am Lunar Eclipse (so take the word "domestic" lightly please, we have reputations to uphold).

Since Ashleigh has left for London I have on 3 occasions cleaned the house, not just tidying... I mean get out the Steamer nothing is safe, its time to clean!

Last night may have been my

epiphany.Flannery came over.

Pasta maker in hand! 2 broken eggs, 3 whole eggs, 2 cups of flour, 1 pound of tomatoes, 1 small onion and 3 tablespoons of butter AND

two and a half hours/prep cook time later...

we sat down to

homemade pasta and sauce.



I'm not sure what all of this domesticating means yet, I'm still working on it.

What i do know is if you'd like Chili and buttermilk mashed potatoes, tonights the night.