Running for Meg

About ten months ago, I started running again after some 12 years off. I had been contemplating trying to run again and then the bombs went off at the Boston Marathon in April.  That was the final straw and I was out on the roads, walking some, running some. 

Since then I've finished a handful of 5K races, logged hundreds of training miles, and I'm a Brand Ambassador for an awesome line of women's running apparel ... go figure. 

Just over a week ago, a post on my Facebook newsfeed caught my attention.  It was the story about a 33 year old Virginia mother of three.  She was hit and killed while out for her morning run sometime between 8 and 8:30 that morning.  The kicker, she was hit by a DRUNK driver .... before 8:30 in the MORNING. 

I echo the sentiment of so many others "I am not sure why this has affected me so much."  I'm not a stay at home mom, I'm not the mother of 3, I'm not married to a police officer, who by all accounts, has dedicated his career to cracking down on drunk driving. 

She will never have another moment with her 3 beautiful children or her husband. She'll never compete in another Boston Marathon, she'll never get to hit the road on a cool January morning and go for a "quick run"

Truth be told, I think I do know why I was so affected ... it is because there is that little nagging voice in the back of my head, whispering in my ear ... that could have been you.  You can wear your hot pink running skort, run against traffic, even skip the earbuds and the music .. but it could still be you. 

Social Media makes spreading the word so easy today and a movement to honor Meg started ... Meg's Miles or Meg Smiles, however you choose to read it, was born. People were challenged to run for Meg. 

This Saturday, January 18, 2014, no matter what your distance, no matter where you live, run for Meg. Take in the fresh air, be aware of your surroundings, keep your headphones on low, feel the heaviness in your lungs, the soreness in your legs, and be grateful for it--for all of it. The sweat, the pain, the wind, the cold…everything. Be grateful for that moment.

The last time I ran outside was November 30, the Winterfest 5K. I've been tolerating the "dreadmill" but I really love to run outside, on the open road. So Saturday, January 18, I laced up my sneakers, added another long sleeved layer and a headband that covered my ears.  I did take my music but played it much quieter than normal. It was overcast, cold and there was a mix of sleet and snow softly falling.  In the beginning, I stiffened every time I heard a car approaching. The longer I ran, the less I noticed, as always when I run outside, my mind relaxes and the tension fades.  

I thought about an amazingly strong, athletic woman who seemed to have it all and was doing everything right, who 5 days before I had never even heard of. 

I thought about her husband trying to explain it to their kids, when he can't even really understand it himself.

I thought about my girls and their excitement and enthusiasm.  Their pride when I come back from the gym or in from a run. 

I thought about Paul and how falling in love with him has made me a better person, better partner. 

I thought about how quickly things can change and how important it is to be present in your life, EVERY day. 

I thought about how this one woman has mobilized a global community of runners, of people, to action. 

I was grateful for the moment. 

On Saturday, January 18, 2014, over 90,000 people logged some miles for Meg.   

The memorial to Meg Cross Menzies at the scene of the accident that took her life 
Photo credit: Loren Rosado

Warm Feet

So almost a month has passed since Santa stopped by in Romanskiville.  Rest assured there were a LOT of happy people here on Christmas morning.  Mama and her iPad Air, Kristen with Talking Sofia and her "Beautiful Unicorned", Brooke with the Saige, American Girl Hot Air Balloon and Daddy with his boot dryer.

So that Hot Air Balloon ... $150 bucks.  Paul tells me "it is the only substantial thing on her list"  I cave, we order, it arrives and Christmas morning, "Voila!"

The thing is HUGE ... it must be at least 3 feet tall.  Anyway, it WAS the only substantial thing on her list ... and she loves it, plays with it daily, and tells everyone about it.

All that being said, she is envious of another person's gift ... and no it isn't Mom's iPad. She wants a boot dryer ...

As Simple as THAT

You may not know this about my beautiful Kristen and some may even find this hard to believe .. she is a PITA about clothes.  I mean, seriously, if she does not like it .. it will sit in that drawer.  It will sit and sit. If you happen to pack things in her bag when you send her to her grandparent's cottage for a week that she will not wear for you .. guess what .. she will not wear those clothes for them either. 

Yes, it is true. This sweet, quiet little girl has a definite opinion about what she will and will NOT wear. 

There was also a stage when she would not wear jeans.  Jeans, the thing that Paul and I live in, that I begged to be able to wear to church and celebrated "casual" Fridays because it meant jeans. The past few weeks .. jeans have returned to her good side. Thing is, at 15 bucks a pair even on sale at Kohl's, if you don't like wearing them, you are not going to have a big inventory to choose from.  This has not been an issue until Monday morning, when all THREE pair that she has found a home in the dirty laundry.  A small meltdown occurs but I promised to do laundry that night so she will have a pair for Tuesday.  

7:00 am this morning she is in my room announcing she is going to look for those jeans. She chooses a pair, completes the outfit with a pink sparkly shirt and we are off and running.  

Paul returned home from his annual "Boys Weekend" in Atlantic City this afternoon and the girls shrieked with delight when he walked in for daycare pick-up.  We head out for a quick dinner and then home for baths.  Kristen is up first and she asks Paul to wash her hair. Bath time is usually big fun here in Romanskiville because you get their undivided attention, well sort of, and you get a chance to chat. 

Here's a snippet of the conversation 

"Dad, why do you poop so much?" 

"I don't know, Kristen, it's in my genes"

"Stop wearing jeans then"

Oh seriously ... if it was that EASY to remedy those irresistible bowels of his .. he would have lost all those Levi's ten years ago .... Just sayin'

Nine Years Ago

January 8th just isn't the day after Paul's birthday, it is our wedding anniversary. Clever of me to stack them like that, I mean he shouldn't have any trouble remembering it when we had birthday cake at our rehearsal dinner.  

It has been 9 years of wedded bliss .. no, seriously it has been. We have the same core values, so fundamental when you're trying to make it for the long haul balancing jobs, bills, kids, and the like.

It really is amazing to me that he didn't run like the wind.  I was late to our first date, my car was in the shop and I was driving another guy's truck and on our third date I announced that I intended to marry again and have kids.  I followed that up with "if you aren't interested in all that, we should move on."  

Even after spending an entire day with a large majority of the Holliday family in a Suburban while we traveled to and from a cross country meet, he stayed. I should add that we were all singing along to the country music on the radio the entire trip.  See, I told you he's a keeper.

Paul & Heather - Hartford Reservoir - 2002

We had a small little ceremony and reception all in one room surrounded by our closest family and friends.  Storm was our Best Man, to us it was the PERFECT day and we were officially a family.  I remember that day nine years ago with surprising clarity.  I remember the door to the room filled with wedding guests opening and a sort of quiet gasp of unexpectedness ripple through the room ... I mean seriously my hairdresser and my makeup artist [my sister] were miracle workers. I remember standing in our little receiving line and my friend, Dale, taking me by the hands, by the elbows really, and saying "You look radiant" ... the photographer even caught that exchange and to this day its one of my favorite memories of that day.... like hear her voice in my head when I look at that picture kind of memory. 

We honeymooned in Boston in January, shamelessly taking "selfies" while we skated in The Common and getting an almost private tour of Fenway Park. (you'd be surprised how quiet that place is when it is covered in snow)

We've been through a lot since that trip  ... we welcomed two of the most beautiful little girls into our world.

Brooke Tetlow - 2006

Kristen Dominika - 2009

We've endured love, loss, becoming parents, losing a parent, building a house, demolishing a house and we've never, ever once hit a point so low that we've thought about walking away.  I will tell you unequivocally, Paul has my back, our family's back. 

I know there were people who questioned our relationship and our decision to marry. I know that there were a few people sitting in that room that wondered how long it would last "this time" and, frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if there were bets made around that very topic.   Paul and I had been married before and those past relationships crumbled before year five.  I think if we were honest, we would both say that we were uneasy at times about that milestone.  Clearly we got there and we celebrated it, acknowledged out loud that this time it really was different.  

We're the real deal. I'm supposed to be with Paul. Paul is supposed to be with me. 

So .. IF there was a pool, I think its time to hand over the money ... I mean we're planning our 10 year anniversary trip to Hawaii for 2015 and that would probably cover a lovely catamaran dinner cruise.

Oh Happy Day ....

Today is Paul's birthday ... he worked, I worked and he got home too late to share the chocolate chip cookies he received from Jeanne with the girls.  They were awake to give him the cards and gift they designed.  They were SO proud and he promised to keep the cards, including the envelopes, for the rest of his life ... 

I did order him a book (it will be here tomorrow so don't tell) and "The Girls" are planning lunch together, our treat, on Saturday afternoon.  This is one of the many things I love about him .. he is very low maintenance.  If he had his way, we wouldn't even acknowledge the day. 

I'm betting Brooke and Kristen will sweet talk their way into a cookie at breakfast time and I'm a tiny bit jealous of that travel mug with their artwork and picture on it.  

Pioneer Woman ... Take One

A few days ago, I defrosted a package of chicken tenders and this afternoon they were still sitting in the fridge.  I decided they needed to be cooked .. um .. today.. so they didn't have to be thrown out.  Hmm ... what WILL I do with those lovely chicken strips?  I usually make this Chicken Skillet Lasagna dish but #1 - we didn't have any ricotta cheese and #2 - I just didn't really feel like red sauce tonight.   Then I remember I have panko bread crumbs and you are supposed to be able to bread chicken with them and cook it on a baking sheet, at a fairly high heat and they "taste just like the frozen ones" .. only better!  At least that's what I read somewhere .... 

I go to my friend, Ree's, site ... you know "The Pioneer Woman" .. OK she isn't really my friend but I like to cook, I have all her cookbooks and I DID just dye my hair red so we're almost like sisters!   Score ... Chicken Strips recipe ... oh, no panko breadcrumbs anywhere in the ingredients.  I also don't have the buttermilk or the Lawry's Season Salt that it calls for.  The recipe says I can take creative license with the seasoning and lucky for me my little brother was cruising through town and called to ask a quick question.  I answer and then ask for a little assist - he runs to the local Stop and Shop and procures said Buttermilk.  

So this recipe also requires FRYING the strips in 1" of oil ... so much for that lighter option of baking in the oven.  I thought about going to Google and looking for a new recipe, but after I saw the picture of Ree's chicken I was committed. I mean seriously look at that delicious, golden fried chicken.

I run to daycare and grab the girls and we head home to start my masterpiece. I'm preparing my tools and collecting ingredients, that's when I hear Kristen crying in the bathroom upstairs.  I dash towards the stairs yelling "Are YOU OK?" .... "I peed, I peed" and I am guessing from the tears we aren't talking about in the toilet.  I should have just called Domino's at that point, I did not.  Bathroom cleaned, Kristen bathed, and back to the kitchen I go. 

My flour mixture with my substitute spices was too wet the first time and wouldn't stick to the chicken, the second batch worked much better.  The oil needed to be a little hotter, and I seriously needed to just LEAVE it alone in the pan ... the breading would have STAYED on the chicken that way.  OH .. and if you don't have the season salt and you sub like I did .. make sure you use a little bit of SALT... otherwise it sort of tastes like chicken in fried flour.  

There is no picture of my attempt .. because frankly they were sort of pale and a little bare in spots .... the upside is dip them in ranch, guacamole, or BBQ sauce and they tasted pretty good.  Kristen had seconds, Brooke had thirds and Paul ate all 9 that were left.  There have been requests to ppppppplease make them again.

This afternoon I was making a fairly straightforward breaded chicken strip dinner and I ended up making this dish that required several bowls, and plates and big ol skillet with a swimming pool of oil.  I had dried buttermilk and flour everywhere and the house still sort of smells like KFC but I think I have a new menu item in my repertoire that EVERYONE in my household will eat.  Might not have been the path I started down but I'm going to claim it as a victory. 

OH, I almost forgot, I bought the Lawry's Season Salt when I went grocery shopping too .. screw this substituting spice thing !!!

A New Look ....

Last week, I changed my hair color.  Not a huge deal to most I, however, have been getting my hair foil highlighted blonde for maybe the last 20 years.  I was amazed when I actually stopped to figure that out.  Needless to say, I was DUE for a change.  Its darker, strawberry blonde, and the first 24 hours when I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror I jumped. I made a comment about it on facebook and was harassed til I posted "selfies"

 Don't you love the expression on my face?  I'm sure at some point I'll get more skilled in the whole selfie thing.  Well .. maybe not!

Since I love how the New Year feels like a fresh start and a time to make changes, I decided to give Romanskiville an update as well. My plan is to make writing more of a priority this year ... I enjoy it and every now and then I bump into someone and they say "I love reading your blog" or "Love the way you write" ... the best was the other day when some said "You must have been an English major in college" .... man if you knew how I struggled with writing papers in High School and College you'd realize how funny that really was. I won't be able to quit my day job and live off writing a blog, but part of having a healthy year is filling it with people and activities that bring you joy and satisfaction.  

I hope you'll take a look around the new and improved Romanskiville and keep coming back because there are more changes planned. 

Happy New Year

I'm all about the fresh start a new calendar year can be.  Since I gave up on making long lists of resolutions a long time ago, this year I'm narrowing my focus. I'm aiming to make 2014 my healthiest year yet.  

Not just physical health, but emotional health as well .... here's to 2014 and it being your healthiest too!