It's Pink Day in Arkansas - It's also PINK Weekend in Little Rock!

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

Get out your PINK!
It's PINK - PINK - PINK!
It's PINK Day in Arkansas!
It's PINK Weekend in Little Rock!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
October 3, 2014 GO PINK ARKANSAS
(wear PINK)
October 4, 2014 Komen Race for the Cure in downtown Little Rock
(have fun)
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Time to "GO PINK"

A little collage of a few of my "pink" things!

October is PINK month -  I get out my pink breast cancer stuff. Anything I can think of that's pink or with a breast cancer pink ribbon, I pull out for October, gearing up for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure Event.  GO PINK! GO BIG!

 

Camille, my precious standard poodle, wears her pink today.

What can I say?  Too cute for words!

 

My new addition this year...

Iron pink ribbon yard display

My brother-in-law made this iron pink ribbon yard display for me.  I love it!  It's beautiful!  It's perfect!  The picture doesn't do it justice - the pink color doesn't show the true pink!

Pink Breast Cancer Ribbon on my Front Door during October

Old photo - 2009 - you can see my pink photo frames in background

I wear my pink reader glasses during October

Arm bracelets - one for each year as a survivor!

I'll add the 10th one on race day this year!

Hope one day my arm will be so full I'll have to come up with a new way to recognize the number of years.

Bright pink running shoes

My Race Day Survivor Cap with pink ribbon pins

and significant ribbons!

Each pin and ribbon have a significant meaning to me. Some have names on them, while others represent a momorable moment.

Pink Ribbon Earrings for race day!

Pink Boots, too!

Not for race day, though! :)

The Pink Leather Photo Frames, in recognition of being a cancer survivor. These used to sit on my desk at work!

Pink Breast Cancer Beanie Baby Bear

wearing her pink breast cancer ribbon.

She used to sit on my desk at work, too.

Yes, I drink my morning coffee in a pink cup!

And I also have pink dishes.

Survivor button

I'm Pink,

Gayla

Sometimes Ya Just Need to Pamper Yourself...

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

It has taken over six months for me to decide to write this post...

 

One of the nicest things I've ever done for myself is....permanent eyeliner!  Yes, you heard it correctly - permanent eyeliner!

 

For months, I didn't share this information with people - not sure why - perhaps I felt a little guilty - maybe even a little selfish.  But, six months later, I can most definitely say it was one of the best things I've ever done.  I absolutely love it. 

 

I used a super-duper magnifying glass to see to put on eyeliner.   It was usually a smudged mess a few hours after I put it on. 

 

Now, every morning, when I get up, I'm ready!  I can add more makeup - eyeliner - eye shadow - etc. if I want more.  I no longer have to feel that I look like crap when I make a quick run to the grocery or farmers market.  I no longer dread a photo taken after I run a 5K, etc. 

Permanent Eyeliner pic

The top eyeliner in this photo is a tad bolder because of the eyelashes.

 



I admit there's been a time or two that I've felt the need to explain my eyeliner - such as exercising or running with full eyeliner on.  Sometimes I feel the need to say "hey, I didn't put on makeup / eyeliner to exercise - it's permanent."  Sometimes I do explain - other times I don't. 

 

I'm not going to justify it anymore.  I did it.  I love it.  No, it didn't hurt.  Yes, I felt it - but the tattoo artist numbed it very well.

 

Thank you to Randy at PERMANENT COSMETICS BY RANDY located at CHENAL SKIN CARE in Little Rock.

 

 

Gayla  

Then and Now --- My backyard revamp...

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

You may recall I spent several months last year revamping my backyard.  I started from scratch - it was nothing but dirt and weeds.  I wrote many blog posts about each step/project.  It is still a work in progress - I can envision the end results, though.  It will be a few years for things to fill in and mature.   

 

I like the rustic unstructured - yet designated areas and purpose - and a hodge-podge in design and materials.  Here are a few then and now photos...

Rock Hill - Last Year - Spring 2013

This was an overgrown ivy covered slope.  I pulled up all of the ivy - hauled most of the large rocks from my grandmother's home place along with a few from my parents home in Greenbrier.  I personally placed each rock, myself!!! 

Rock Hill - This Year - Spring 2014

The various ground covers planted in between the rocks have done great!    

Rock Hill - another view

Last year (Spring 2013)

Rock Hill - Another view - It is as I envisioned!

This year (Spring 2014)

Last year 2013 - Backyard upper level

 This year 2014 Backyard upper level (sorry I didn't move the black water hose for pic)

I think progress has been made and I think in a couple more years it will be what I envisioned. 

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Here are a few more current photos. It is still a work in progress.  If you keep in mind that last year it was nothing but dirt and weeds --- it's come a long way, baby!  

Upper level today (sorry I didn't move the water hose for pic - lol)

Another view...

Rock hill/slope to the left of the steps  - it's finished!

 Hosta slope on the right of the steps - It still needs work.

Expanded view of Hosta Slope/Hill.  Still needs to fill in - getting there, though!

 

 

 

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Who Rescued Who?

The Gayla Pink Apple

 If you need a smile today - keep reading...

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Yes, I "finded" her  and "bringed" her home with me - but who rescued who!

Camille

Just look at this precious thing! 

Camille wearing my LRM10K medal

If this doesn't bring a smile to your face; love to your heart and warmth to your soul - something is wrong with YOU!

 Three months ago, I adopted this darling standard poodle. I jokingly tease and humorously claim that while my friends are becoming grandparents, I adopt a dog.

The reality is that I adopted this precious dog because I wanted another pet, they are great companions, bring much joy to our daily lives and love unconditionally.

Camille loves her bed.

This is my first rescue to adopt. I adopted her through a poodle rescue organization that specializes in rescuing poodles - specifically standard size poodles.   Camille is the sweetest and most mellow dog - I am just crazy about this four-legged girl. We are definitely a great match. I think she is a very lucky standard poodle to live in my home and I'm equally lucky to have Camille in my world. 

 

Without getting too deep into the meaning of words and emotions, I feel at a time in my life of emptiness, sadness, loneliness, and a need to fill a void, a homeless Camille comes along.   Just looking at her face makes me smile. She definitely brightens my life and if she could talk, I think she would say the same about me.

Who rescued who?  I think we rescued each other!

Gayla

 



Little Rock Marathon Epic 2014 (March 2)

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

NOTE:  The 2014 Little Rock Marathon was several weeks ago and I'm just now blogging about the day...sorry for the delay, etc.



My daughter, Blair, flew in from NYC to run our hometown marathon 10K with me. I had been training for months - but, she had not.   I talked her into coming anyway and just running my pace with me - which is probably a rest run for her. : -)  She agreed and was able to stay a full week.  That means we had valuable time together in addition to running the 10K.

Our matching outfits!

A lot of people wear costumes, matching t-shirts, etc. in the LRMarathon events. I am not really into costumes but, I wanted us to match in some way - let's face it - 24 year olds are not that keen on wearing matching attire with their Mother - and I knew that!  However, at the last minute, she agreed.   I had already bought my pants with the pink insert on the legs. All I needed to do was get her a pair; then we found these cute white shrugs!  I added a skirt to my outfit - you know, kind of hide a few flaws from "behind." 

Yelp, that's me - finish line!

There's the moment - my feet about to hit the blue mat and... "I did it."  Whew!  This is one of those photos - the ones that no one wants to see.  But, if you're in my shoes right at this moment - I don't care what I look like!!!  I don't care that my skirt and running belt with my iphone and keys are bunched up around me.  All I want to do is take one more step and hit that dang blue mat!  YAY! YAY! YAY!

Snapshot pic after run!  Freezing cold!

The weather was cold and it was raining - we ended up running in garbage bags - managed to rip them off to cross the finish line and for photos. It was a very tough day.  I had many training runs in very cold temperatures and many training runs which were less than desirable days.  So, the rain and cold temperatures on event day wasn't stopping me.  In spite of the difficult weather, I had a great day!  My run was good.  I felt good and was running with my young adult daughter.  How could it NOT be a great day for this mother.

Blair and me - "official" photo - LRM 10K

It's always nice to have official photos taken at these events. Let's face it, snapshots of people running are usually terrible - and I mean terrible - photos. I know some of you say that's the beauty of the photo, but when you pass the age of 40ish, no one needs such photos. 

Blair's official photo!

My turn!

Last, but not least...Camille shows off the 10K medal for us!

I am very proud of the Little Rock Marathon.  It is professionally organized  and has a great leadership team.  The LRMarathon is known throughout the country as a great event.  Well known elite runners and many out of state runners participate in the weekend activities.  

There's also a very big local and statewide participation.   Let's face it, the city wouldn't make nearly as much money if it weren't for us local and statewide people, with a passion and love for both running and our city, supporting the event. 

There's a fantastic atmosphere - hard to describe  for those that are not runners or have not been downtown on marathon day and weekend.  Many of us support the city by participating in some form. The 5K run and "Little Rockers Marathon" for kids events are held on Saturday with the actual Marathon / Half / 10K on Sunday. 

Packet pick up at the expo

The weekend also includes the expo and parties, etc. - free to participants and available by ticket to the public.  The expo has numerous booths, etc. for seeing the latest in gear, attire, etc.   If you've never been downtown LR during the marathon weekend --- you should go -  It's a big deal!   
    

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Camille's progress...

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

You probably know by now, Camille is training to run with me.

 

Here are a few photos...

Her tail is up! 

Camille looks at me - I look at Camille!  Love that!  

Yes, I know, I should not be running in uggs - but, this is Camille's run not mine. 

Is that a smile on her face, too?

"Run with me"  "Good Girl"

We run her schedule of 1 to 2 minutes of running with 5 minutes of walking for a total of 30 minutes. 

"Come on, run with me"

She slows down and looks at the camera! :-)

"Come on, catch up"

She looks likes she is having a good time!

She even runs pretty, too! 

Don't you think?

 

 

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Do You Want to Dance!

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

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

 

Do you, do you, do you, do you want to dance?

Do you, do you, do you want to dance?

Do you, do you, do you, do you want to dance with me?

 

Yes, I'm a little gaga over this new girl in my world.  Camille has been with me almost three weeks and is such a sweetheart.  She is now eating, loves her walks/runs with me, and has not, yet, had an accident in the house.  She was already doggie door trained and house trained.  I was expecting an accident or two because she was mostly doggie door trained.  I do not have a doggie door.  As you can imagine, an accident by a 55 lb. standard poodle is a tad bigger than an accident by a 8 lb. shih tzu! 

 

She is definitely MY dog.  She prefers me and it is obvious I'm her human.  This is a big step in building our relationship.  My daughter, Blair,  is here visiting.  I left to go to a funeral and Camille sat in my (our) room the entire time I was gone - instead of sitting in the TV room/study with my daughter.  So, Blair just sat with Camille in my room, too! 

 

 

Blair and I took Camille to the park.  I decided to run a short distance with her - I then asked Blair to take the leash and run with her.  I wanted to see Camille's body language, etc. as she runs.  Camille wouldn't go without me.  She would turn her head and look to see if I was coming; then stop and wait for me to catch up. 

 

I think she is loving her new life and home - and yes, she wants to dance with me, I think!  Don't you agree!

 

Gayla