It Comes in Threes-When It Rains, It Pours

The Gayla Pink Apple



When it Rains, it Pours

and/or

It Comes in Threes
!!!

 

You know the expressions -  When it rains, it pours -- the expression that when things go wrong, a lot of things go wrong at the same time.  It comes in threes -- the expression that bad luck comes in threes. 

 

That is certainly the case in my house right now!  Ugggg,  Argggg, OMG,  Really?  Is this really happening?

 

The button to open my microwave door is broken!  My oven is acting out - its' behavior is very frustrating!  My laundry machine isn't spinning correctly either!  Okay, what next?  It comes in threes fits the bill now, doesn't it?  Is it pouring rain yet? 

 

I can still use the microwave - I just have to poke a stick down into the hole left where the thing-a-ma-jig popped off.  So, it still works!  Do I buy another one now or keep using the old one?  Ponder, Ponder, Ponder!  It's definitely NOT a Happy, Happy, Happy!  OMG, did I really just say that?  I'm not really a fan of that show anyway and I just said that!  I may have to go back and delete that sentence before I hit the publish button on this post. :)

 

I can re-spin just the spinning cycle on the washing machine, so it still works too.  Do I buy another one now or keep using the old one and baby it a little?  Ponder, Ponder, Ponder!

 

I can use the bottom oven, instead of the top oven, since my oven is a double oven!  So, I still have an oven.  Do I buy a new oven now or use it as a single oven?  Ponder, Ponder, Ponder!

 

Do I drain my three appliances for every last ounce of use left in them?  My answer --- I DO NOT KNOW!  I'm PONDERING !   But, it definitely came in threes! I am hoping it doesn't pour!

 

I'm pondering times three!

Gayla

 

 

 

A Shoe Horse and A Cap Cat!

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

A Shoe Horse?

A Running Shoe Horse;

Yelp, That's Me
and
A Cap Cat?
Yelp, That Too!

 

When I was young, I worked at a shoe store along side my grandmother.  I'd work on Saturdays and holidays.  So, of course, you know how easy it was for me to become a shoe horse. 

 

I was in elementary school when I first started working at the shoe store.  I was too young to be paid, but the owner of the store usually gave me a free pair of shoes.  I quickly caught on to how fabulous it was to have a new pair of shoes fairly often.   I've never really changed - but, as I've matured I find that I buy quality instead of quantity now. 

 

Fast forward to my current shoe horse fascination -- now -- it's for running shoes.  I find myself buying running shoes instead of sandals, heels, or boots.  I am usually breaking in a new pair, running in a seasoned pair, and at the same time alternating with yet another pair that is in-between - not new - but not yet seasoned.  I do not know if this is technically a good idea.  I am not sure I really want to know - it is, afterall, what I find myself doing. 

 

I run in a minimalist running shoe.  My first barefoot/minimalist running shoe was the five finger vibram shoe.  I loved them, but, I did not like the attention and comments I drew from wearing them.   I then moved to pretty much the same type of shoe as the five finger vibram but without the toe separation - a minimalist running shoe. 

 

 

I found the regular minimalist works wonderfully for me.  I have a turquoise blue/green pair (my seasoned pair;) a bright hot pink pair (my in-between ones;) and a rainbow pair with yellow, pink, and blue (the newest pair in the beginning stage of wear.)  No, that's not all - but it's all I'm going to admit to here.  LOL

I am also a cap cat!  What's a cap cat, you wonder?  Well, it's just a term I made up to say that I have as many caps as you can imagine to run in also.  Caps of every color - blue, green, purple, chartreuse green, light pink, medium pink, dark pink, red, white, and black - just to name a few.  Not all women run in caps - I do because I have naturally curly hair and as I run and get hot my hair starts to curl.  Therefore, a cap is a must for this gal!

I have a few other obsessions as a runner - but - for now, I think I'll keep them to myself!  Oh, OK OK OK - I'll tell ya a couple more.  I have to wear certain socks!  I have to wear sunglasses to shield my eyes because they water so terribly from the outside air and wind.  Usually must have my Garmin, iphone for music - sometimes runkeeper app, and that running pocket belt thing-a-ma-jig.  Last, but not least, I want my chapstick too!  Whew, you didn't know there were so many little issues for just a measly little run, now, did you? 

And, I won't even mention the clothing!  Yikes! 

Gear up and run,
Gayla

A WOMAN SHOULD...

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

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

This has been around a while - I ran across it a few days ago...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she's content to leave behind....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a feeling of control over her destiny...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more....


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it....


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

RUNNERS ENDURE - #BOSTONSTRONGLR

The Gayla Pink Apple

 ~~~~~~~~

 

April 22, 2013 6:30pm - 8pm

Murray Park - Little Rock

 

A group of runners joined together this evening to walk, jog, or run any distance benefiting The One Fund of Boston.  Runners of all paces!  Run 1 mile or run 12!  Run the distance of choice and make a donation as a show of support and solidarity for Boston and the running community as a whole. 

 

 Some printed bibs for their run tonight

I normally do not run on Mondays' - but couldn't miss an opportunity to join a group of runners to show my love and support for Boston.  So, I ran a 5K (3.1 miles) this evening and let me tell ya, it felt wonderful.  A peaceful, humbling, and relaxing run, allowing my mind to escape, allowing my feet and legs to carry the burden of my sadness to mourn the tragedy in Boston.   

Murray Park - BostonStrongLR event

This one was for you, Blair.  My daughter who graduated last May from Emerson College in Boston and is currently living in NYC.  I know if you were in town you'd be running your little /big heart out! 

 

Group of runners getting ready for their run!

Love for you, Blair and Boston,

Gayla

 

 

 

 

 

 





Warming My Heart to the People of NYC, One Step at a Time!

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

Thank you, CityMd - Manhattan

 

Age 2 - St Vincent Hospital

"That nurse just poked a needle in my finger and made me cry,

now you expect me to smile?" 

 

It doesn't matter if they are 3 years old or 23 years old - when your child is sick you want to help.

Age 3 - St Vincent Hospital

"Ok, I'll try to smile but you keep that nurse away from me, please"

 

My 23 year old daughter, living in Manhattan, working full time, and taking advanced Sommelier courses, calls to tell me she is sick. As a Mother, you want to take her to the doctor, right! Yes! But, since I am in Little Rock and she is in NYC - uhhhh, that's obviously not going to happen!

 

 

To make matters worse, we dropped her from our family health insurance because her job offered health insurance. What wasn't realized, until it was too late, is that there was going to be a window when she would not have health insurance at all. She would have to wait until her probationary period ended before the health insurance would be offered. But, wouldn't you know it - yelp - she is sick and without health insurance. Yes, a mistake on her father's part, but, what's done is done!

 

You know, it doesn't matter. Her father tells her to go to the doctor anyway, and he will just pay whatever it cost. I mean, afterall, when your child is sick - well, you do what you have to do!

 

I am known to be a little long winded - so in an attempt to make my long story short - she goes to the CityMd clinic only a block down the street.  Her throat hurts and her ears hurt! The doctor confirms her she has an acute ear infection; throat is severely inflamed; and on top of that she has the pink eye! 

 

At first, the Doc says he is going to do a couple tests - but - when he realizes she doesn't have health insurance - he changes his mind! The doctor gives her med samples for the ear infection for ten days, along with a prescription for eye drops for the pink eye. Yes, this is common for many of us here in our little city - but, in NYC, I was very surprised at the kindness and prompt attention! 

 

My point is that instead of running throat cultures and other stuff, which equaled additional charges, he treated a young professional with kindness and care. He put her needs before money, and it cost her only the office visit ($125) and the cost of one prescription filled!

 

Warming my heart to the people of NYC afterall!

 

Thanks Doc,

Gayla

I love Boston

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

 

I love Boston - love visiting Boston - and, yes, mostly because my daughter went to Emerson College in Boston.   But, also because of the history of Boston and it is a great city. 

 

Emerson campus is on Boylston Street across the street from Boston Pubic Garden and Boston Common (the oldest city park in the US.)


There are colleges all over Boston - seems colleges on every street corner - college students at every turn! People living life and especially young college students starting out - the beginnings of their journey through life. 
 

Downtown Boston

Photo by Gayla Aug 2011

 

Boston is rich in history.  The Freedom Trail, Boston's most historic walking path; Fenway Park, world famous ballpark. 

Some of you will remember Cheers - where everybody knows your name!  The pub made famous by the TV show.

Newbury Street Famous Shopping

 Boston's famous Newbury Street for fine restaurants and designer shopping along the brick paved sidewalks and beautiful buildings.  

 

Downtown Boston

Photo by Gayla Aug 2011

Each school year that my daughter was in college there, 2008/09 - 2011/12,) I often would wish that I'd just so happen to be there visiting her on the day of the Boston Marathon - but, it never happened.

Downtown Boston

Photo by Gayla Aug 2011

The Marathon route runs right in front of her then dorm rooms, later her apartment, on Boylston Street.  I never wanted to run a marathon - and still don't - but I always wanted to be in Boston on the day of the Boston Marathon to experience the atmosphere and see the joy of those runners! 

Exterior of my daughter's apt bldg.

Corner of Boylston and Tremont Streets

 

I started running in 2011 and during my visits to Boston in 2011/2012, I ran in Boston Common and walked the city, specifically Boylston Street, many times.  When I think about my physical self standing right in the middle of Boylston, I recall the excitement and exhilarating high and joy I felt being there.  My heart feels your pain right now, Boston! 

I love Boston,
Gayla
 

 

 



Rockin' Out The Barkin'

The Gayla Pink Apple

 

Rockin' Out The Barkin'

~~~

Blue Tooth Patio Umbrella

versus

Four Barking Dogs Next Door

~~~

Battle is ON!

 

 

I love dogs, don't get me wrong, but, enough is enough.  My next door neighbors have FOUR beautiful dogs.  They bark nonstop several (many) times a day and that includes every time I walk out on the patio.

 

You know, I think I should be able to sit outside in the mornings and drink ONE cup of coffee without four dogs barking nonstop.  Finally, when my tolerance level has gone into over-drive,  I yell, at the top of my lungs, "SHUT UP" - they stop.  By this time, I am in a bad mood and don't even want my cup of coffee!

 

Just happened to be shopping for a new patio umbrella and the young man at the outdoor furniture place shows me a patio umbrella with blue tooth!  At first I reject the thought - I don't need blue tooth music in my umbrella.  Of course, it's a little more expensive.  But, wait a minute!  Maybe I do?  The price isn't that much more and I'd buy the umbrella if blue tooth wasn't attached.  It's the right size, color good, etc.  It fits what I am looking for!  Ring it up!  Sold!

 

Well, I love it.  The best thing so far is that when I started playing the radio the volume was so loud it shocked me.  I immediately scrambled to turn the volume down.  But, then, I noticed the four dogs next door had stopped barking.  Oh my!  Maybe I am going to win this battle yet.  Thank you Lord!

 

I think Bear, Bodie, Blackie, and PrettyOne might just love it too.  (I don't know their real names - this is what I call them.)  We might be friends afterall.

 

I love dogs, but, I don't love four dogs barking nonstop. So, for now, I guess I'll just entertain them, huh? Guess we will see how long it lasts! 

 

Rockin out the Barkin,

Gayla