Do not did.

I'm 27 years along. I turn 28 this January, I have done so many fun and adventurous things in my life. I think the difference between myself, many of my friends and others is the past tense verses the present tense verb. I plan on doing, I don't solely focus on the "did" actions. This is not an age differentiation but a mind set, I want to go places and do things. I do not want to dwell solely on what I did.
I very much enjoy talking about adventures, travels and times I've HAD but there is a particular tone to "then", a tone that says "not anymore".
I am still having and looking forward to the best years of my life and I want to
continue having and looking forward to the best years of my life.

You're not who I want

I'm never the one they want.  Such is the life of a nanny. I'm never the one whose presence calms a cry or dries a tear.  My hugs are the ones that cause more tears and squirms to get free, to get to mom or dad.  

Don't get me wrong though, I look forward to my days with the boys, the triumphant yells when they figure something out on their own or with my guidance...

These are "The Little Men Three" the boys I nanny full-time.  We have been at their beach house in Long Beach Island, New Jersey for the most of August.  The parents both work from the beach house for the month and I spend the days with the boys.  The older ones 7 years and 5 years old went to the yacht club morning camp for the first few weeks.  The littlest one and I spent the mornings together walking around the neighborhood, biking the streets, going to the park and throwing rocks into the water.  We even took on a monsoon at the beach, yes the one day I decided to go to the beach alone with him we were caught in a monsoon... the older two enjoyed the story of how their baby brother  flew around like a kite in the wind was almost blown away by the storm (I tell a good tall tale).    

Bee and I "say cheeeese", "ceeeeese"

Brendan and I spend the most time together which, I guess leads to the trauma of being put down for a nap by me and not mom.

a bandaid for the boo boo

 I have been complimented by their parents and others for my patience and ability to distract him when he is distraught or nearing a break down.
My favorite moment was at the beach when his dad asked "Bee, do you want to jump waves with me?"
not three seconds later a wave took out Bee, complete wipe out! I picked him up without a word and pointed to the loud motor boat passing out in front of us.
"Look at the BOOAT!" I exclaimed and crouched down next to him pointing out the boat from his line of sight.
"Boah, Boah, boah" he murmured.  I laughed and looked at his dad who was shaking his head and laughing at the irony of the moment.

Bee tromping around the yacht club

Luu and LaLa "stick 'em up" showing off their new Texas Ranger hats

 What really drew me into this family was the parent involvement.  They are and want to remain part of their boys lives even though they work full-time. One of the main qualities they were looking for in a nanny were disciple and manners.  "We want respectful and well mannered boys, they are already for the most part but we don't want that lost."
I guess for me, some of the best moments have been hearing Luu tell how "AMAZING" his day (with me) has been.  Going to the Natural History Museum to see the Dinosaurs, the National Navy Museum to see the Submarines, Luu would be walking around and look back at me and declare, "this is awesome Miss Wendy".
LaLa, the oldest, was given the opportunity to participate with the older kids from the Yacht Club camp.  Every year the kids swim from High Island to the yacht club, its approximately a 500 yard swim in the bay.  LaLa was visibly nervous about accepting the offer when I mentioned I would swim with him if he'd like.  He warmed up to the idea and even after the whole group was dropped off at High Island and about to swim he was nervous.  With his lifejacket and a paddle board he swam the entire length with only a boat ride to make up for the currents pull.
He was continuously offered a pull from one of the many parents on kayaks but turned them down time after time.  We swam next to one another and talked the whole time.  He did an amazing job and was quite proud of himself as well.

selling lemonade around the bay

 I do appreciate the moments when their mom passes the sleepy fussy baby off to me and says "its been thirty minutes of this [crying] and I have to get work done before the hour".  I walk in and have him soundly snoozing in under five minutes.  What gets me is the sleeping baby moments, the quiet relaxed moments when the baby or one of the boys is sleeping in my arms and its only after a struggle and cries for mom.
I know I'm not the one you want and I never will be but when I have my own little one I will be exactly what he wants.  My kisses will heal all boo-boos, my hug will calm and sleepy wimper and I will be the one, the puck will stop here.

Sandy, Sunny and Salty Summer

This summer has been many things, sandy sunny and salty can describe most of it. I began the summer with a drive down to see Gordon and Jackie in May. Mom and the brother are still experiencing tension here and there but it was a wonderful time with the babies nonetheless.
Mom ran off to Africa soon there after and in true Byrd fashion Gordon shot over to China.
At this point We were pretty much set to take over the world, mom and sister in Africa, Gordon and Jackie in Eurasia. All the while Dad and I were here on the east coast (I strategically covered the Northeast coastline), Meredyth and Ian had the mid/south/west in their grasp.
Of course, Dad and Sally could have bounced down to South America if need be.

As May was upon us I enjoyed a long weekend across the water from Yorktown, VA on a nanny "vacation". I watched the 6-month old as the parents went kayaking and touring through Yorktown and The Jamestown Settlement.

Very excited to begin his first vacation ever.

From there I hopped down to experience my first Airborne jump, meaning I was the lucky duck who treated my 1SG and a new CPT after a less than perfect landing. Nearly 8 hours in the hospital and an ankle "relocation" contributed to 28+ hours awake, working and not eating nearly enough (it's the eating part that gets me).
Then over to Richmond where I stomped around town with dad and Sally...
A Virginia Beach trip (twice to be exact) one of which was full of chilly evenings and windy days, not to outshine the amazing Art Show.
Whew... Then what?
Oh, Maine!

Brother Dunstan and I

OH! Maine!!

Fresh Lobster!

First I met my namesake Brother Dunstan, in Long Island.  From Long Island it was Massachusetts, Rockport to be exact.  The views, the people, oh and not enough can be said about the Lobstah.  From Rockport I hopped up to Bar Harbor, did a handstand on the rocks then headed to Lubec, Maine.

Light house, Just before sunrise

West Quoddy Head Light

Lubec is the most Easternmost town in the United States.  Julia is in Africa so I decided to watch the sunrise from the Easternmost point in the US, the West Quoddy Head Light.  Sunrise was at 3:44 am, which was 9:44 am in Gaborone, Botswana so regardless of the cloudy skies in Botswana that morning, Julia sent the sun to me.

3:44:45 am June 22, 2012, Lubec, Maine

After Lubec and touring around the surrounding area I headed to Boston, MA in order to go to Fenway.  The game didn't happen but great beer, lots of laughs and a soaking wet hour spent waiting in line was well worth the trip.  Rockport also warranted a second visit.  My trip was amazing and everyone loves the pictures and stories, then asks, "why did you decide to go to Maine?".   

Truthfully I just wanted to go and I when I had the opportunity I took it.  Good times were had by all I encountered and I will be taking another trip Down East in my future for sure.  

The summer is not over though and more beach trips 

A weekend of art, wine and wind to boot

MOCA in Virginia Beach hosted the Boardwalk Art Show this past weekend. As a dabbling photographer and artist I must say, I would not have traveled three hours to an art show on my own accord. Luckily for me, I have a wonderful and socially inclined friend Inese. Inese decided a vacation was in store and off we went before the sun rose on Friday morning to the beach. We sat on the beach in the late morning bundled in blankets as the wind whipped through our hair and the waves crushed the sand. It was a day at the beach only in the realistic sense.
We didn't even last the day battling the cold winds, we ended up in the cheap tourist hub Sunsations. We had to buy low priced and even lower quality hoodies. We weren't letting the wind run us out of town though.
We were not alone, over the weekend I smirked at every cheap "Virginia Beach" hoodie purchased by a surprisingly cold tourist.
The ART SHOW! We came for one main reason, ok many, but the big even was the art. I logged 10+ hours perusing the booths; admiring, gawking and flipping wide-eyed through photographs and paintings. I met the artists and heard of their unique approach and method for metal working, editing, collaging, painting and the like.
Photographer Matthew Carasella said I was his "little blue tent's" biggest fan of the show. I'm putting that on my resume!! I bought two of his prints. You can see more of his work at http://www.socialshutterbug.com/
Overall, I was completely inspired to get back to art at some level at least.
Here I go on my vacation to Maine and I have my camera (of course) in tow with an accomplice; my tripod! Lighthouses and coast line be prepared. Thank you Inese for the art inspiration, you are my muse.

Yoga fearless friends and the fair weather friend

Why I cannot bite the bullet and commit to more yoga in my life is beyond me. I still feel a bit silly,when outside of a yoga studio, doing sun salutations.
This morning I will be partaking in Oceanfront Yoga, silly or not I will enjoy the strong wind in my face, sun in my eyes and great yoga in the sand. I will not allow myself to be a fair weather friend anymore.
As I move through the poses I will think of my friends who fearlessly take on yoga, whether here or there, high or low. The people who absorb the moment the environment the poses and not the impressions of others.

As you read this, fearless yogi friends of mine, know that you are next to me as I am on the beach in warrior pose. Strong, fearless, taking on the sun sand and wind, I am thinking of you.

Julia, Here's the Deal...

So here is the deal, my sisters and I are very close.  That's us with our dad two thanksgivings ago, 2009, before my deployment.

Top Row L-R:Julia, Robby (step dad), Alice (mom)
Bottom Row L-R: Ashleigh, Wendy (me), Ariel, Meredyth

We are close in age, and have grown even closer as the time passes and the miles between us increase.
Here we are at my mom Alice Perry's wedding 26 (27, 28?) December of 2009, days before my deployment to Afghanistan.

Meredyth, Wendy, Julia

On Christmas Day 2009, covered in the bows from our presents, in Due West, SC.

Wendy, Ashleigh, Julia, Meredyth (front and center)

Here we are again for Meredyth's bridal shower in Virginia, June 2011.

So if four pictures don't do it for you just take my word for it, we are close. Byrd sisters mean a lot, they have veto rights on the men in each other's lives, they will listen intently to each other's whining and gloating, crying and blabbing, boredom and frustrations.  One day they may need to listen to your sobs the next lay out the news you don't want to hear.  My sisters mean the world to me.
Julia and I trained for last year's Army 10-miler together, I ran it with my best friend Ethan just a month after she left for Botswana.  This year I will run it again, a lone Byrd girl in a sea of meaningless people (meaningless because you are not a Byrd sister when that's all I want).

Lately I have been a bit jealous... you see Meredyth and Julia have this ongoing affair... and I want a Byrd sister love affair of my own.  Julia has been gone less than a year and I don't like it.  Yes I was gone longer and it was difficult, yes, she is having a life changing time and its good for her, shut up.

Meredyth is enjoying married life in Austin, TX.  Julia is semi-miserable in Botswana, Africa and I am still a student in Northern Virginia.  Don't get me wrong I am always enjoying life, beachside enjoying life at the moment, but everyone is away.
Back to this affair...
Meredyth and Julia have this on going blogpal and I want my piece of the Byrd pie.
So here's the deal.
Julia, will you take me, Wendy, to be your second oldest sister and second blogpal?
We need to do our 10-miler training again, and each week blog back to tell the other about our weekly runs.  Its not hard, half the time I will be telling you how I missed two days of the schedule and you'll tell me an antelope joined you on your run.

So will you.  Here is the training program in PDF form, I will also email it to you.

Training begins on Monday.

Smitten, the intro...

 

MG Linnington, Alice Bell (my mom), ME, MAJ Tim Garland (MG Linnington's Aide) at the reception prior to Spirit of America in Charleston, SC in September 2011

after my promotion, thanking the crowd, my mom and MG Linnington

He says we met the day before my promotion before the cigar lounge, I don't remember, so I will start from the cigar lounge. 

 I don't remember connecting with anyone as easily and having as much of an indepth conversation with anyone so soon upon meeting.  We sat and talked about life, what we've been through and pretty much shared our life stories on a leather couch in Charleston, SC over cigars.  Initially, I was intrigued and interested in him as well as surprised by his openness, not a typical characteristic of any Infantryman. 

Week One Training: Running in Circles

I suppose running in circles is the general idea in a running program.  I think my running goes through stages, each run that is.

I talk to myself, well I think to myself.  I try very hard not to talk out loud to myself while I run... its a conscious decision and effort.  

In the beginning of my run I tell myself how strong I am, that I can accomplish anything and how today is a new day.  Today I am stronger than I was yesterday, I am a new person today, I can choose to do anything I want today.  I am more organized, more intelligent, more punctual and a better person than I was yesterday. 

Secondly, I organize my day.  Sociology; homework, study for the exam, print out the previous quizzes for review look over the discussion board posts.  Bio-Medical Ethics; exam is coming up, type up study sheets, look over terminology.  English; don't get ahead of myself, look over my research, take notes, make citations, narrow down on thesis.  Anatomy & Physiology; write research paper, ugh, decide on topic for research paper.  Pack clothes to go to FiremanDave's, leave the house by noon to take the Sociology exam.    I think by organizing my day I get out the jumbled and tangled thoughts that bind and and stress me out.  Planning it out lets me see how it can all be managed.

Next, scenery.  Finally I look up and look around me.  Its amazing what you miss when you only see the trail or path in front of you.  The trees are changing, the hills roll in front of me and the morning is clear and crisp.  Brr and my ears are cold.  Then its a blur for miles.  I don't feel my legs, I don't think about my day i just breathe and continue on.  

...and I am now officially registered for my first marathon.  

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.