Happy Easter March 31, 2013

The Gayla Pink Apple

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 Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

 Hippity Hoppity

Easter's On It's Way!
 

Blair  (age 4 1/2) with the Easter Bunny

Wait - Easter's here -not on it's way!  But, it's a cute Easter song to sing in your head, anyway. 

Easter bag of goodies I did for Blair when she was in college :)

Photos of her as a young child on the front!  Never too old for a little Easter Love!

 

When my daughter was young, we didn't over do Easter.  I didn't make a big deal of buying new Easter dress!    Yes, we would hide Easter eggs and have a fun day.   We would color boiled eggs and the Easter bunny would bring a basket of goodies -- chocolate, jelly beans, and stuff. 

Blair - age 18 months

Easter at my parents' home

We would, on occasion, visit my parents for the extended family gathering at Easter - but - it was not a yearly gathering.  By the time my daughter came along, the other grands were grown, and she often would be the only young child.  Not too much fun to do the Easter egg hunt with only one young child. 

Randy says "Who wants an Easter egg?" -- "Me," says Blair (age 2 1/2)

 "Me Too, woof woof," our little schnauzer

Regardless, I do cherish those Easter mornings and the love I know my daughter felt from my hours of putting together the perfect Easter basket of goodies for her.  I have spent hours upon hours finding that special little something to go in her basket and carefully tying the most colorful ribbon I could find!  A Easter Bunny's love! 

Blair (age 3 1/2) finding Easter eggs at my parents' home

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Hopping down the Bunny Trail

Hippity Hoppity - Easter's on it's way

 

Bringing every Girl and Boy

Baskets full of Easter Joy

Things to Make Your Easter Bright and Gay

 

He's got Jelly Beans for Tommy

Colored Eggs for Sister Sue

There's an Orchid for your Mommy

And an Easter Bonnet too

  

And, most importantly,  a day of recognizing the resurrection of Jesus, and that Jesus died on the cross for our sins - his resurrection demonstrating his promise of an eternal home in Heaven.  The true meaning of Easter!

Oh, Here Comes Peter Cottontail

Hopping down the Bunny Trail

Hippity Hoppity

HAPPY EASTER DAY 

Today, my parents will be at my home for Easter lunch.  I didn't plan ahead too well this year and found myself trying to come up with something for making the dining table feel like Easter.  So, I pulled out my daughter's Easter baskets from years past, along with some of the plastic eggs which were sitting in the top of the closet - added jelly beans and "Viola!"  

My dining table Easter decorations for today's lunch

 

I'd better hop to it,

Gayla



 

 

 

It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood!

The Gayla Pink Apple



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Hi Make-Believe Neighbor! 

            Glad We're Together Again..

 

 It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Mister Rogers

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Won't You Be My Neighbor

 

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,

A beautiful day for a neighbor,

Would you be mine?

Could you be mine?

  

It's a neighborly day in this beautywood,
A neighborly day for a beauty,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?

 

I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you,
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

  

So let's make the most of this beautiful day,
Since we're together, we might as well say,
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?

 

Won't you please,
Won't you please,
Please won't you be my neighbor?

Mister Rogers' would have celebrated his 85th birthday this past Wednesday, which got me to thinking about Mister Rogers' television show, and reminiscing when my daughter was young, many mornings we'd watch the show together.  WE LOVED MISTER ROGERS and often started our beautiful day in the neighborhood with him and his neighborhood of make-believe. 

During the opening of each episode, Mister Rogers entered singing "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"  He hangs his coat in a closet, puts on his cardigan zipper sweater, and removes his dress shoes to put on sneakers.

I think make-believe is wonderful for children - using their imagination - playing make-believe.  When my daughter was young she had a make-believe sister/friend.  I encouraged her to play make-believe and that make-believe friend or sister was just a part using her imagination. 

 

Yes, she knew she didn't actually have a sister.  I'd tell her the difference between a real sister or friend and a make-believe pretend sister or friend.  DUH!  I recall the mother of one of my daughter's young friends commented to me that she thought my daughter needed a sibling because she talked about her sister which didn't exist.  Really, lady??  As the smoke escaped from my ears, I confirmed that, yes, indeed, we have a make-believe sister and make-believe friends which often were integrated into our make-believe world of pretend and imagination.  But, under no circumstances did that exhibit anything other than my child showing her imagination and play as a young child.   

 Our basket of puppets - Do you see X the Owl?

(There's also a bumble bee; ladybug; piggy; puppy dog and more)

Puppets - we played with puppets a lot and loved to read books and use our puppets to go along with the stories.  Do you remember Mister Rogers' puppets?  

Lady Elaine

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make-Believe

 

Do you remember Lady Elaine?  The curator of the museum-go-round which contained everything from A-Z.  Lady Elaine was kind of an outspoken character with strong opinions always getting into things.  I thought she was funny. 

X the Owl

What about X the Owl?  We actually have an X the Owl puppet (shown in the photo above in our basket of puppets.)  I guess it goes without saying, since we had, and still have, the puppet, X the Owl was one of our favorites.  He lived in a knot hole in the tree and loved to learn all kinds of things. He was a happy 'nifty-galifty' owl.  He was always enrolled in correspondence school and his best friend was his next door neighbor Henrietta Pussycat. We loved her too!

 

Mr. McFeely and Purple Panda

McCain Mall - North Little Rock - 1994

Top photo: Blair, Gayla, and Randy with Purple Panda

 

I do not recall all of the characters and puppets. But, two other favorite characters we loved were Mr. McFeely and Purple Panda.  Mr. McFeely the "Speedy Delivery" guy and always in a hurry.  Purple Panda from Planet Purple where everything was purple and everything the same.  He could magically go places "the purple way" of just thinking himself there!  We had the opportunity to chat and visit with Mr. McFeely and Purple Panda when they made a stop in Arkansas.  Blair was about 4 1/2 years old (above photos.)

 

It was just cool, wholesome, make-believe fun which all kids should be given the opportunity to explore, in my opinion anyway! 

 

Last, but not least, in the closing of each episode, Mister Rogers sings "It's Such a Good Feeling" as he removes his sneakers and puts his shoes back on, and then switches out of his sweater and back to his coat.

At the end of the song, he reminds us that "You always make each day a special day. You know how: By just your being you/yourself. There's only one person in the (whole) world that's like you, and that's you. And people can like you just/exactly the way you are."   

 

It's Such A Good Feeling

It's such a good feeling to know you're alive.
It's such a happy feeling: You're growing inside.
And when you wake up ready to say,
 'I think I'll make a snappy new day.'
It's such a good feeling, a very good feeling,
The feeling you know that we're friends.
 

Snappy New Day, and
I like you just the way you are,

Gayla

 

 

Well, Hello, First Day of Spring

The Gayla Pink Apple

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Well, Hello, First Day of Spring
March 20, 2013


 

Welcome to the first day of Spring!  Several things come to my mind! Nice temperatures, azaleas blooming, flowers being planted (annuals) for blooming the next several months and perennials starting to bud and bloom.

 

 

 

Allergies, oh dear, yes, allergies start to intrude into people's lives. I do not have allergies - however - when I was younger, I had my battle with a few allergies. I think I really did out grow them.

 

It's time for pushing heavy winter clothing to the back of the closet and pulling out lighter fabrics, etc.   Some days I really want to wear that spring weather top but, burrrrr, it's still cold out, and my body is saying it still needs that big sweater! 

I'm putting up the boots, but keeping them easily accessible -  as you know, it's common to have some cold days here in our State during March and April.  At the same time, I'll be getting ready for sandals.  Making my appointment for a pedicure because you know girls need sandal ready feet at a moments notice.  Speaking of feet --- are you a toe cleavage person?  Yes, I am! 

 

Perhaps, I should be thinking of the first day of spring as the day the vernal equinox occurs - since technically that's what the first day of spring really is.  This is when the sun sits directly above the equator on its trip northward.  The sun isn't moving - Earth is! As Earth revolves around the sun, the top half, the Northern Hemisphere, becomes tilted more toward the sun as winter turns into spring. Ok, enough of the official stuff. 

I think we are lucky to live in a state with seasons. I kind of like that we experience Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall! Even though the temperatures can trick us at any given time - we still have our seasons.  For now, it's officially Spring!

Well,  whatever season we are technically in - for next few weeks - I'm going to use a little common sense - or at least try!  I'm going to wear my boots and sweaters when the temperature is cold and wear my sandals when the temperature is nice and warmer. 


And, I'm getting my pedicure regardless of the temperature!  Now, pondering what color polish this time!  I can assure you it will not be blue, black, green, or yellow - but promise it will be red, orange, or pink!  I have nothing against the chic modern blue, green, and yellow.  They are fabulous on you.  It's just that I go for the classic red, orange, and pinks. 

At this point in my life, I do not need to prove to anyone that I am cool, chic, stylish, and strutting the latest trend.  I'd much prefer to be who I am and how I see myself - which is in my classic colors and styles that best suit me. And, as for being cool, well, I am usually cool and if I'm not, I'll get me a fan!  :)

So, welcome to Spring!
And, pretty feet,

Gayla

 

 

 

 

 



Is it Time for a New Pet???

The Gayla Pink Apple

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Is it Time for a New Pet?

 

 

How do you know when (if at all) it's time for another pet.  After a pet passes on, the question lingers - do you get another pet? 

Our little Shih Tzu passed away just five weeks ago.  She was almost 15 years old and is missed terribly.  I'm asked often if I am going to get another pet.  I don't know!  For now, I say, no, I do not plan to get another pet.  But, I don't know if that's really correct.  We have had two precious family pets and I'm thinking that's going to be all.

I agree with the quote "until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." But, I've loved two precious dogs and I'm confident my soul has not remained unawakened. So, the question is, do I have enough space in my current being to love another pet and endure losing another pet. 
 

Benzer -  1985-2002

Our first pet was a darling little schnauzer (photo above.)  He was just the best - Baron Von Benzer was his official name.  He aimed to please - always wanting to please you.  Benzer was so well behaved - well, I guess that means I trained him so rigidly, that he walked the line of almost perfect.  Kind of like that first child thing and the inexperienced mother trying to do everything perfect.  My inexperience demanded that he follow my rules, etc.  He didn't dare get up on the furniture!  He didn't bother guests.  I was always bothered when friends allowed their pets to jump all over me and pounce in my lap.  (It doesn't bother me today - but years ago I didn't like it.)  So, by george, my dog wasn't going to do that to people!   Again, my inexperience here.  But, he loved me anyway! He almost never had accidents in the house.  He was just the most devoted and fabulous little guy you could ever hope for in a pet. 

Casey - 1998-2013

On the other hand, our little sweet Shih Tzu - Lady Peek-a-Boo Casey Marie (above photo,) was there for you to please her!  She was the queen and we doted over her for sure.  She got on all the furniture - she could sit anywhere she wanted to sit - and could do no wrong, in our eyes anyway.  As she aged, she could no longer jump up on the sofa, bed, etc.  But, in her prime years, she could do anything she wanted and get away with it.   By this time, I guess I had softened so much that Casey could just do no wrong. 

She was the little sis to Benzer and he was her big bro.  He showed her the ropes around our house and she followed him everywhere.  He tolerated her so kindly and she was most definitely the spoiled one.  Benzer was 13 years old when Casey came along.  Casey was 4 years old when Benzer passed on.  At first, I was worried how she would handle losing him.  She most definitely missed him, but adjusted.  I didn't realize, until Casey joined our family, how much company and joy a second dog is to the first one.  It was obvious they loved each other.  He was so good to her and she looked up to him. 

 

Benzer passed away three months shy of  17 years old and Casey three months shy of 15 years.  As you can tell, we obviously take good care of our pets - or to put it another way, they both lived a very long time, so they must have been well cared for.

 

Interesting tidbit of information - Casey and Benzer both passed away on the same day eleven years apart.  He passed away February 7, 2002 and she passed away February 7, 2013!  They were both born in the month of May. 

 

So, back to my topic - is it time for another pet?  I don't know!  For now, I say, no - but - will I change my mind?  All I know, for now, is that I miss Casey terribly.  I still look for her many times a day - I still grieve her passing.

 

 

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April Showers Bring May Flowers; But, it's March!

The Gayla Pink Apple

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April Showers Bring May Flowers;

What, April?  It's not April, Yet!

I know, I'm Rushing it a Bit!


 

I don't know about you, but, I'm ready for some flowers!  May flowers? OK! But, I'll take March and April flowers too.  As for April showers, well, I'll always take the showers whether April or not, since rain is usually a good thing!  But, for now, I am ready for some spring time weather, pretty green grass and pops of color, around town with azaleas blooming, and pretty flowers smiling.

 

I must admit, I am not much of a gardener!  Some ten years ago, I worked with the Little Rock Council of Garden Clubs Inc. - so, you can imagine, I was around many wonderful gardeners and flower show ladies.  You would think some of that gardening talent and passion rubbed off on me. 

 

But, no, not really!  I wanted to love it - I tried to love it - I even told myself I loved it.  But, it seems everything I planted in my yard had to be replaced or replanted numerous times.  I felt I was spinning my wheels, not to mention spinning my money right out of my pocket!   Replacing shrubs and buying supplies.  I did not give up!  I finally admitted to myself, the truth!   It is just not my thing! 

 

I do love the pretty flowers blooming, but I didn't love the other parts of it.  And, another thing, I began to notice many of those ladies were adorned with a willing man who would do the preparation, digging, planting, watering, and weeding; as well as maintenance of that impeccably manicured lawn and landscaping!  Yes, I know - some women do it all.  But, many don't!   These ladies I am talking about didn't need help deciding what to plant or where to plant what.  They loved doing that part and their 'right hand man'  did what she told him to do. 

 

Not this gal!   Sometimes a girl needs to come clean and admit the truth.  I am not a gardener and my husband doesn't yearn for a perfectly manicured lawn or flowers for me.  But, wait! Maybe I could try to do a little bit of something on my own to make my yard look a little better! Just maybe!    Hmmmmm, Yes? No? Maybe? But Maybe Not? Wish-washy, huh? One minute I'm admitting that I am not a gardener, and the next minute, I'm backtracking thinking maybe I could be if the circumstances were right!  Oh dear!  I'll need to think about that.

 

There is a part of me that thinks I might enjoy parts of it if the circumstances were different. My yard is a difficult one - rocky - slopes - more than I can handle. It takes more than digging a hole and planting a shrub or flower, if you plan on it surviving, anyway. Well, let's not go there! 

 

Maybe there is still hope for me though.  I am planning to plant some pretty flowers in that concrete two tier bird bath that has been sitting empty in the back yard for many years.  I am going to plant flowers in it in memory of our sweet little Shih Tzu, Casey, who passed away a month ago. 

Ugly Now, Soon to be Pretty!

The bird bath sits in what was her area of the yard - you know - her place she always went to do her business!  LOL!  But, none the less, it's still "her spot in her yard."  But, instead of the poop and scoop area, it's going to become the blooms of beauty, just like she was! 

 

For now, I'll just admire and ooh and awh over your pretty flowers, and perfectly manicured lawn, and do my best to give you much phrase and accolades over all the hard work you put into all the beauty you are sharing with me. 

 

Showers today,

Flowers tomorrow - or soon, I hope,

Gayla

Little Rock Marathon 2013 Events

The Gayla Pink Apple

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L i t t l e  R o c k  M a r a t h o n  E v e n t s
10K - Half Marathon - Marathon!

March 3, 2013

 Little Rock, Arkansas

Marathon 3,000 (sold out 12/17/12)
Half 5,300 (sold out 12/31/12)
10K 1,600 (sold out 2/1/13)

 

 

 

Gayla Runs the 10K - Yay! 

My 10K Medal

OMGosh!!!!!!  Can you believe it?  Well, me neither!  However, my body believes it! :)

 

I ran the 10K portion of the Little Rock Marathon today.  My first 10K!  I am on 'cloud nine' and sure I'll fall off those clouds as soon as I sit for a little while, then try to stand up and walk.

 

 

Months ago, as I contemplated attempting the 10K this year,  I knew I had to stay on track with my running in order to come close to running 6.2 miles. A 5K (3.1 miles) was the most I'd done successfully.  Let me just say, 6.2 miles sounded like a full 26.2 miles to this gal! 

At the end of last summer, I had gotten off of my running schedule.   I was running, but not consistently.  And, at the end of September, when I returned from Boston and NYC,  (where I spent five weeks with my daughter,) I knew I had to get back to my routine.  I decided to start training for the 10K and in the back of my mind I knew I could always change it to the 5K.

So, training and getting ready for March 3rd kept me running.   For a while, I wasn't sure if I'd do the 5K or attempt the 10K.  I just knew staying on track with running four times a week was a must for me to be able to do either.

Obviously, I stayed on schedule, running through the cold and winter months.  I ran Thanksgiving morning, oh so cold; and even  ran Christmas morning in the sleet and rain.  However, I discovered the proper cold weather clothing that worked for me, keeping me somewhat warm, allowing me to stay on track with my runs. 

Since the registration was filling up quickly, by mid December, I knew I had to make a decision soon.  By the first of the year, I had already registered for the 10K, so it was serious business to stay on track with the training.  (But, in the back of my mind, I could still switch to the 5K.) For the time being,  I entered into a temporary marriage to the LRM 10K official training schedule.  I questioned my sanity a couple of times!  By the time mid to late February rolled around, I felt I could do it, but, my oh my, I was soooo slow. 

Back of a shirt at the Expo :)

Literally speaking, many people can walk it as fast as I was running (jogging.) A little bit of a downer, but I realized, hey, you've trained, your body can do it, stop whining about being slow, just do it and while you're at it - why not enjoy it!  

Oh, how I tossed and turned last night, getting little sleep.  This morning my stomach churned, butterflies dancing inside me, my leg wouldn't stop bouncing; my mind wouldn't stop racing, my anxiety level was high.  Man oh man, I was nervous!  Adrenaline flowing!  You would have thought I was running the full by the way my internal being was behaving!  WHY, all the fuss, you wonder?  Well, either you get it or you don't.   It's time to Run Gayla Run!

I ignored all those little tiny cute runners passing me, zooming by, leaving me in their dust.  I puttered along - I knew the route - my RunKeeper app was keeping me informed (which is not legal if you're running for money) - not to mention my Garmin, lol - my music rocking my beat and rhythm (which is also not legal if you're running for money) - all was good!  It was time to put my little blinders on - finally relaxing to enjoy what I had worked so hard these past months to do!  Run Gayla Run! 

But, reality hit, it was 25-30 degrees, and I sailed through the first 4 miles and then hit the dreaded Broadway Bridge mile 5 slope and it zapped me.  I must admit, it was an unexpected kick in my behind!  I thought I was prepared for the dreaded slope.  But, it just wasn't my day, and all I could do was beg my body to push and plead with my feet to keep putting one in front of the other.  I wasn't able to recover very well at beginning of mile 6 - a little bit - but not enough to have a good run.  BUT, it was a SUCCESS because I FINISHED it,  So, in spite of it all...

 

having run 6.2 miles today

feels AWESOME! 
 

Note, I said HAVING run ...

Yes, that's ME - Yippee

My feet crossing that blue thing-a-ma-jig;

Hearing my name called out over the speaker at the finish line;

And, looking up at the sky;

With tears running down my cheeks;
Throwing my hands high in the air;

With a sigh of relief and smile across my face! 

<3
Gayla

 

 



 

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