Where There's A Will; There's A Way!

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Ladies, do monthly self exams and get a mammogram!!! 

Do you ever get an idea in your head and it just will not go away?  Me too!  That's what happened last week...

 

My refrigerator in the kitchen doesn't seem to function the way I want it to function.  Especially,  if I have guests and do any type of larger scale cooking.  This means that it holds nicely my little dab, of this and that, perfectly, as long as there's no friends or family in and as long as I don't cook a special dinner or holiday celebration.  My frustration comes when entertaining my friends or family and during the holidays.

 

There's an apartment size refrigerator in my basement.  That means up and down the stairs for any overage refrigeration needs.  Up and down - Up and down - Up and down!  Ugh!  My mind starts to churn.  Hmmmm, why don't I put that in the garage.  It would be right outside my kitchen door.  It would be - what, maybe - three steps away.  But, WHERE in the heck can it fit.  The garage is full.  But, where there's a will - there's a way.  My mind starts churning...

 

Well, I could move the portable shelving rack which houses stuff I seldom use.  Floral supplies such as glass vases; clear bubble bowls for fresh cut flowers; votive candle holders; tall skinny glass vases for a single stem; clear blocks to elevate food trays; an abundance of clear glass plates, boxed neatly and labeled; extra clear glass punch cups, boxed neatly and labeled.  Items I seldom use, but am glad I have them - they come in handy when they are needed.  And, where there's a will - there's a way. My mind starts churning...

 

Maybe the portable shelving rack will fit in the laundry room, just  m a y b e.  I'll measure it and see.  Well, it would be tight - but appears doable!  Ghee, that means I have to take everything off the shelf/rack - move it in the laundry room - and put everything back on the shelf/rack.  But, where there's a will - there's a way.  I'm going to do it!

 

Yay, it worked!  Now, I've got to get the smaller refrigerator moved from the basement to the garage!  It's not a full size, but it's not a dorm size either.  It's an apartment size fridge!  I'm pretty strong - maybe I can help my husband do it.  NO!  that didn't work.  Tried it - NO.  My neighbor behind me lifts weights in his basement.  When out in my yard, I often hear him grunt and moan during his workouts while lifting some pretty heavy weight.  Collin might help.  Yes!! 

 

Yay, it worked!  Whew, that's much better.  My overflow of refrigeration items are now just a few steps away.  No more running up and down the stairs to the basement.  I am thrilled with this little - big accomplishment. 

 

But, why is my mind still contemplating more???  Because when I moved the shelving/rack thing from the garage to the laundry room - I noticed a broom closet not being utilized very productively.  It would be so nice to have shelves in that closet - then house my serving trays, serving dishes, cake plateaus, punch bowl, candlesticks, etc.  Now, that would be nice.  Yes, once again, where there's a will - there's a way. I'm going to do it!  

 

How can I get this done???  My husband might be able to do it - but - lordy - do I dare ask him?  He isn't the handy dandy handyman type of guy.  It would really be stretching it to ask him to do it.  But, I might be up to asking.  I'll need to ponder and think about it.

 

It would be so nice, though!  I'd love to have all my serving pieces stored in one location.  Afterall, that closet only has a couple things in it.  It's definitely not being utilized wisely.   OMG, he thinks he can do it!  Hold me up!  I'm about to fall over in shock! 

 

Yay, Yay, Yay!  It's done!  I love it!  My serving trays, chafing dishes, punch bowls, cake plateaus, and candlesticks fit perfectly.  I painfully measured and customized each shelf so each piece would fit perfectly.  I won't bother you with all the mishaps, curse words, and frustration that came along with getting the shelving in.  The end result is that I absolutely love it!  I love all three of my little musical chair move abouts.  

 

The shelving rack from the garage to the laundry room fits nicely.

 

The second refrigerator moved from the basement to the garage is wonderful!

 

The customized shelving in the old broom closet houses my serving pieces beautifully.  

 

What's next?  OMG - please do let my mind start churning again.      

 



Backyard Renovation Phase II begins...

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Ladies, do monthly self exams and get a mammogram!!! 

The fall months rolling around, and the cooler temperatures in the air, have me starting on Phase II of my backyard garden renovation.

 

My to do list looks like this...

1.  Repair broken brick steps;

2.  Remove rotted landscape timbers;

3.  Extend brick retaining wall;

4.  Privacy wall or screen on patio to block the dog agility course in the neighbor's back yard;

5.  Perimeter walk / path;

6.  Pergola!

That's ALL!  Whoa! 

 

Phase II of the backyard renovation is a little lengthy, but the bottom line is prioritizing the list.  Seems every project is a big project.  Some things on my list are "needs" and others are "wants."  The needs are pulled to the top of the to do list!  You get that, don't ya? 

 

Since the brick steps were broken and dangerous, they became the first project.  Sounds simple - but, it's not.  Since I can't rebuild old loose brick steps myself, that means hiring someone to do it.  It takes time searching to find a brick guy that I trust, who will give me a reasonable price, and do a reasonably good job.  More than that - someone that will show up and do it! :-)  This means calling my garden club council ladies - avid gardeners are always in the know!

 

Brick guy hired and he showed up!  I'm pleased!  He did what I asked him to do.  Check item #1 off my list!  And, a bonus!  He can do items #2 and #3 - remove the rotted landscape timbers and extend the brick retaining wall. 

Check! Check! Check!

Progress being made!

Here are a few pictures... 

October 5, 2013 work begins

Brick guy starts repairing the brick steps. 

In this photo, the top step has been repaired and the rest shows the condition of the steps before he started.  One had to be very cautious to walk down the steps - they were borderline dangerous.  Keep in mind, this is repair work using the same bricks and making them safe again. 

Brick steps finished! 

Need to replant the liriope on the right side that had to be removed.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Item #2 - Remove old landscape timbers...

Old rotted landscape timbers were removed. 

Ready to extend the brick retaining wall.  

Another view!

Item #3 - Extend brick retaining wall... 



 

Extending the Brick retaining wall is complete - still need sides to steps.

Almost finished!  This photo really doesn't show the improvement to match the reality of it.  I think in a fairly short time the color difference will not be as pronounced.  I knew the brick wouldn't match.   I mean, seriously, how can you match brick that's this old?   I'm OK with it not matching, some of the cascading ground covers along with the small variegated ivy and the small green needle-point ivy will cascade down over the brick, some day!



 It's FINISHED!!! October 12, 2013

Still need to smooth out the dirt pile. 

The brick retaining wall extended, where the rotted landscape timbers were removed, is now finished.  The color difference is already diminishing a little!   Hopefully this will hold the dirt now. 

 

Back to my "to do" list.  Hmmmm, what, if anything, will be next?  I don't know, yet.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



If it HURTS, STOP!

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Ladies, do monthly self exams and get a mammogram!!!

I have pondered for a few months now why I am reading posts from facebook friends that appear to be exercising, lifting weights, doing yoga, dance classes, biking, running, training for 26.2 mile marathon,  often working out five days a week - yet, at the chiropractor weekly, talking about back pain, at the doctor's office getting shots to stop the pain either in your back, foot, shoulder, neck, wrists, knees, etc.

 

Has common sense gone out the door?  If it hurts, STOP!!!

 

You get temporary relief, but the pain comes back.  I just don't get it.  Friends in their 30's and 40's pushing themselves to the point of severe pain - yet, still doing the same activity that's causing the pain.  You are over doing it and you know it.  STOP!!!

 

Chiropractors are making money off of you - you're out there promoting their practices!  STOP!!!

 

Doctor's have to try to do something to help with the knee, back or foot pain - yet, you keep running with the injury or you keep lifting weights - most likely weights that are too heavy and too much.  Yet, you keep doing it.  STOP!!!

 

Your trainer is telling you this and that - they're making money - they're not going to tell you to take a break.  They're going to keep pushing you to get the income.  STOP!!!

 

STOP IT!  Pull back and heal!  Re-evaluate what you're doing to your body.  You're possibly causing damage - probably already have - that will never be repaired because you won't STOP and let your body recover and heal. 

 

How smart does one have to be to use a little common sense! 

You obviously have the  dedication, determation and self discipline to control your actions because you have the dedication and discipline to exercise, run, workout, lift weights,etc.  So, use that same dedication, determination and self discipline to make smart decisions and STOP! Recover! Heal!

 

I recall last year one girl was told by her doctor if she continued to run she was looking at back surgery - she supposedly walked the marathon instead of running it.  Yet, pictures were taken - and I saw the pictures myself -  of her running that day, she wasn't walking.  Really lady?  What the heck are you doing? 

 

I read weekly posts of a yoga addict going to the chiropractor weekly for wrist pain, while at the same time reading her posts checking in for strenuous exercise classes numerous times per week and posting pictures in advanced yoga positions holding all of her body weight on her wrists, or twisting her body into a pretzel.  What the heck?  Then, promoting health nutrition products by a certain brand (obviously for income purposes)  and talking about how these products changed her life. 

 

You are supposedly educated and trained in health, exercise, and / or yoga.   If  indeed an expert, then why do you keep doing what is hurting you?  STOP!!!

 

I'm NOT an expert - this is my OPINION!  When something hurts - isn't that your body telling you that you're doing something you should not be doing?  Where is your common sense?  If it hurts, STOP!!! 

 

On my soapbox today...so glad to get that out of my system this morning!

Think I'll go run,
:-)  and, if it hurts, I WILL STOP!
 

 

 

 

 

 



Between Two Strangers...

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Ladies, do monthly self exams and get a mammogram!!!

He entered the plane - his eyes darted throughout the cabin, and landed on me.  "Is this seat taken?"  I shook my head no, followed by a smile as if to say, go ahead and have a seat.

 

He was dressed very well.  Expensive suit that looked tailor made - definitely not a suit picked off a rack.  Obviously a businessman.  I'm not one to make small talk sitting next to someone on an airplane.  Frankly, just not interested in chatting - often the conversation is too loud - voices carry forcing others, close by, to hear the conversation, too.  I don't like that!

 

But, this man was going to talk.  I'm thinking ... great, a salesman.  He is going to talk non-stop.  He appears very successful - so I think he is going to be one of those guys that likes to hear himself talk and brag.  I can just see it coming -- how successful he is - all his travels, etc.  In my head, I am already rolling my eyes and wishing I could block my ears; force my heart and personality to be rude.  But, not happening!

 

The opposite happens!  Well, almost the opposite.  He does talk a lot.  But, the conversation was lovely. . . welcomed and we had a most enjoyable chat. 

 

He finished his work in NYC early and was booked home to Charlotte, NC, on a later flight, which meant a three hour wait in the airport. He normally flew first class, he said (yeah, sure;) because the company paid for it.   Oh, well, of course!  That figures!  Spending someone else's money and you fly first class.  You have to pay for it yourself, and you travel coach!  That tells me the truth about ya!  Hmmm, I am not impressed!  Probably works for a non-profit - spending your donors money. 

 

I am reminded of my own experience working for a large non-profit and the President / CEO traveled first class.  I thought it was horrible to spend donors money flying first class, yet, pleading with the public for donations to run the organization.  I am not against CEO's flying first class, but I do think it should be a for profit business; not a not-for-profit charity.  Back to my story - sorry to get off track for a moment. 

 

My seat mate didn't care he wasn't in first class, he said --- he felt very lucky to be on this plane, which gets him home early and in time to see his two year old grandson, Ryan  (oh! OK, that's sweet - nice man.)  He didn't care if he had to sit in the back of the plane, if it got him home in time to see Ryan.  (We were sitting in row 4 - pretty close to the front in the coach/economy section  :-)  Nothing like having a grandson!  Oh boy, he was fun! 

 

The man tells me he had a long successful career, and a few years ago sold his business, retired; and didn't like retirement, so he went back to work.  He traveled with his job of 30 years - flew to Bentonville often to visit Wal-Mart (oh yeah, of course.)  He couldn't adjust to being at home 24.7 - he didn't like not working.  His wife raised their children, and they discovered they didn't like each other too much when they were both home 24.7. They got along great when he was traveling.  She told him he needed to do something -   SO, he did!  He got a job and started traveling again. 

 

He spoke highly of her - she was a wonderful wife - even though when he retired they got in each other's way.  He said it like it was.  They loved each other, but he needed to not be there all the time.  He said he was very proud of her.  She kept herself in shape.  She was a runner - she had run a half marathon.  The house/home was her domain - not his!  She was a great mother - and now a fabulous grandmother.  His children adored her and he gave her full credit for always being there for their children while he traveled and made a lot of money.

 

I'm thinking, WOW, you are telling me a lot about your personal life.  I'm a total stranger;  here we are on an airplane, and you're telling me your wife told you to go back to work and give her back her empty house.  Interestingly, and to this day, I have a hard time understanding why...but, I start sharing my life.  I've been married 32 years, one daughter that graduated from college in Boston last year and moved to NYC.  I was traveling back to LR after visiting her in NYC.  I had a career in my early years; was married nine years before my daughter was born; didn't think I wanted children; but then when she was born, I loved every minute of being her Mother.  When she was two years old, I quit my job and became a stay-at-home Mom; then returned to work when she was in the ninth grade; within three months of returning to work full time was diagnosed with breast cancer and now a 8 year survivor;  laid off from my job a couple years ago.  Whew, here I am telling this strange man my entire life story.   

 

We have the C conversation.  What kind of cancer? he asked.  How long ago?  How big was the tumor?  How did you find it?  Did you have mastectomy?  Did you have radiation and / or chemotherapy?  He asked me 1001 questions.  To my own surprise, I answered all his questions, sharing my thoughts and feelings about my cancer diagnosis, treatment, recovery and survival.  How the first year of cancer and treatment I refer to as my survival mode.  I went into survival mode and blocked all thoughts that I wouldn't survive.  Trying to show my daughter that when faced with cancer you don't give up - you dig deep within yourself and fight back.  The second year was my year to collapse and sort of fall apart, not knowing how to go forward, because I had been so focused on surviving.  I needed to learn how to live as a survivor instead of becoming one. 

 

I continue telling the stranger that I am not the same person today I was before breast cancer. How I look at life differently and try to live for today - I think I now know what is really important - I don't have all the answers in my life - still searching for some answers, but I see life differently today than I did before I was faced with the big C word. 

 

What do you mean? he inquired.  Well, I needed to acknowledge some critical things in my life.  I  don't have all the answers. I am still trying to figure parts of it out.  I told him that I believe in order for me to let go of the things wrong within myself, within my body, within my being, I had to acknowledge and face some difficult thoughts, feelings, and opinions within myself.  In order for me to allow my body to heal I needed to heal internally. 

 

What is really important?  he asked.  Without hesitation, I replied:  LOVE!  There is no power greater than LOVE -  Love isn't something you see with your eyes, I said.  I continued...  Love yourself! - Love on all levels!  - And, learn to love yourself!  Let others see your vulnerability and you then allow others to love you, too.  You invite others to love the YOU that you love.   I stopped and noticed the man was listening carefully with intent eyes focused on me as if to absorb every word.   

 

I hear the pilot's voice telling the stewardess to prepare the cabin for descend, we will be landing momentarily in Charlotte, NC.  Our plane landed, the man looked over at me and smiled... Thank you, he said - I'm Jim!  I smiled back and replied, I'm Gayla! 

 

With love,

Gayla

P.S. - this is a true story which took place on my flight from NYC to LR through Charlotte, NC, in July.  I often think of this conversation and thought I'd share it with you. 

 



It was tidy; then shambles; now tidy again...

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Ladies, do a self-exam monthly and get a mammogram!

My house, that is!  To have my daughter, Blair, visiting this week has been a gift for my heart and soul. 

 

 

It's a little comical to watch her father and me compete for her attention.  We both smother her with conversation geared towards our personal  topic of choice.  He likes to talk with her about TV shows.  I love to ask her questions about her life in NYC.  I like for her to share stories from the hotel!  It seems to never be a dull moment working in the hospitality industry - specifically, in a hotel.  Tourists, in particular, are quite entertaining.  Especially international tourists and some of their ridiculous questions and requests.  I like for her to share with me her latest thoughts on her wine studies - the exam questions on the advanced wine course exam, she took recently, etc.  Which grapes she likes and which country of wines she recently studied, etc. 

 

Blair warms my heart and lights up my being.  We usually started our mornings off with coffee, sitting in the backyard garden, if it wasn't raining, watching to see if my little chipmunks - Alvin, Simon and / or Theodore - are going to show up and scamper all over the backyard.  

We had a full schedule this week --- appointments, shopping, celebrations, lunches, outings, etc; but, managed to find a little time to run at the big dam bridge, and swing in the backyard while the sun goes down, taking in the light wind breeze on our faces.

My house a mess - my tidy house - where everything is most often in its' place. All of a sudden it looks  - well, it looks like a family lives here.  Stuff - just stuff - piled on the table.  Water bottles, coffee cups, and goodies.  Items (not food) from dinners I haven't removed from the table yet, because I didn't want to miss any of her conversation.  Most of the 'things' piled here and there are mine, not necessarily Blair's!!!  :-)

My strategically placed sofa pillows tossed to the side and replaced with a nice soft bed pillow.  No complaints, though! That's the joy of it.  My house, once again, a mess.  It was so nice to have my house in shambles again.

 

As I age, an odd kind of feeling - somewhat melancholy - creeps into my being.  Thoughts reminiscing of my life, thus far; and wondering what's ahead, if anything, for me.  My child is grown --- I am not a fan of parents living their own lives totally through their adult children.  I think it is critical adult children have space and freedom to live and enjoy their own adult lives without daily input (nagging) and advice (interfering) from parents.  I think it's important to find that balance of being a part of their lives - afterall, that's my child - while, at the same time not controlling her destination and decisions. 

 

Yet, some days my life can seem empty and it would be so much fun to give her my unsolicited input and advice.  The words "input" and "advice" are the correct descriptions, right?  It's not nagging and interfering, huh?    Doesn't matter which word you use - it all depends on how it's done and how it's perceived. 

So, for me, it's really about absorbing every opportunity I have with her.  Striving for a nice balance - while she is enjoying her young adult years - as I am observing and loving her regardless of where she lives.  It doesn't matter if she is in NYC , South Carolina, Colorado, or California.  We always find a way to spend time together.  We talk often and text almost daily.  In the meantime, I lunch with friends, facebook, blog, a little gardening, run, and even do a tad bit of cooking, ugh, to the cooking!  :)  All while planning the next time I will see Blair.  

Time to get my house back in order.  Going from shambles to tidy again.
Gayla




    

 



It's A Punkin Pumpkin Kind of Day!!!

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Ladies, do monthly self exams and get a mammogram!!!

My daughter is a pumpkin girl!  :)  

Is pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable?  I thought it was a vegetable, but google says it's a fruit!  Okie Dokie!  Either way, it is a favorite around my house.

I just know that my daughter loves anything pumpkin! 

Blair's Pumpkin Brownies hot out of the oven!

It kind of looks like a Jack-O-Lantern! Pretty cool, huh?

I wonder if she did that on purpose? :)

Blair and I decided to do some baking today. She loves anything pumpkin and likes to bake. Blair usually makes the pumpkin desserts, for me, during the holidays --- a pumpkin gingersnap trifle and a goey butter pumpkin cake are favorites. Our family loves both. A few years ago, we opted to replace the traditional pumpkin pie with some of her pumpkin deliciousness.

Blair's Pumpkin Brownie - Yummy

We, rather she, made Pumpkin Brownies, and pumpkin muffins with a cream cheese filling.  They turned out great.  Yummm-O!  These are recipes that should most definitely be added to her baking repertoire.  

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins in the making...

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins coming out of the oven.

It was a relaxed kind of morning, drinking our morning coffee, while gathering the ingredients to make pumpkin goodies.  

Blair's Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin!

It was about making memories - the two of us testing recipes in the kitchen!  No make-up, no tight jeans or heels, no running tights or iphones!  Girls in their jammies in the kitchen which warms my heart and soul.

My heart smiles,

Gayla



A Wicked Great Evening...

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Ladies, do monthly self exams and get a mammogram!!!

A wicked great evening indeed. 

Me and Blair --- On our way to see Wicked

Blair and I went to see the musical Wicked at the Robinson Center tonight.  It was a great evening just being with Blair, and I enjoyed the musical, too.

Blair tonight at Robinson Center, Little Rock --- Wicked

                             

Me tonight at Robinson Center, Little Rock --- Wicked

 Blair absolutely love love loved the musical Wicked when she was younger.  It's her, all time, favorite musical.  We saw it in Chicago (she was in high school) and in New York, for her 18th birthday; then, we saw it again in Chicago.  We also made a quick weekend drive once to Memphis to see it.  Seeing Wicked tonight in our hometown made our 5th time to see it.  Did I say we love this musical???  We both still love the musical as much as ever.  

Want to play a tune from Wicked?

A book of the songs from Wicked sits on our piano!  I bet Blair knows almost every word that is going to be said - and every song - I'd put money on it.  She referenced the song Defying Gravity, sung by Elphaba, in her high school senior chapel talk...

"Just remember the gorgeous words of the unique and green-faced Elphaba, “It’s time to trust your instincts, close your eyes, and leap.”

Emerald City Curtain-Robinson Center-LR

I referenced words from the song For Good  in my eulogy at my grandmother's funeral four years ago.  Talking about the good I got from her and speaking of how "people come into our lives for a reason... we are led to those who help us most to grow...I know I'm who I am today because I knew you."

The Chicago page from Blair's Senior Scrapbook - a required English project!

Our first trip to Chicago was to vist colleges and we just happened to buy tickets to Wicked.  The second trip, a few years later, was purposely to see the musical again.  We made it a mother/daughter trip - leaving the Friday after Thanksgivng - so we combined a big shopping spree and did our Christmas shopping that year on Michigan Avenue!!! 

The New York page from Blair's Senior Scrapbook

My mother, Blair, and I saw Wicked  in NYC while there for Blair's 18th birthday trip to the Big Apple.  We dressed up, took a limo to the theater; then a bicycle taxi back to the hotel afterwards.  Man oh man, we went from one extreme to the other...limo / bicycle taxi!  Go figure.  I tell ya...that bicycle taxi ride had a lot of giggling and laughing going on in it.  Again, the musical was great.


 I will even venture to say, if you were to meet Blair on the street today,  I'll bet the keys in her hand will still have a Wicked key chain dangling. :)

We loved seeing the musical again tonight.  We had great seats...orchestra row F seats 212 and 213 - yelp, that's us! Call me a snob - I don't care. If I'm going to go, I want a dang good seat. I've been known to not go to performances if I can't buy orchestra seats.   I don't have to be super close - even though row F is row 6 - I call that pretty close. LOL!    I do, however, have to be in the orchestra section or I don't go. I'm easily distracted by noise around me. People digging in their purse, checking their cell phones, or a young child that loses interest quickly, bother me. If I am going to pay those prices to see a musical such as Wicked - well, lets' just say...I want a wicked good seat!  

Robinston Center - LR - Stage Curtain

I'll end my blog by saying that although seeing Wicked tonight in our hometown really didn't measure up to seeing it in NYC or Chicago, it definitely brought out the good in me to be with my Blair. I could-n't be hap-pi-er____  No, I could-n't be hap-pi-er______. 

In case you don't know, I Couldn't Be Happier, is a song from Wicked! 

Wickedly Happy tonight,
Gayla