The Stone Rabbit

LUCKY, LUCKY ME. . . .

 

Isn't it amazing how doing one new thing can be the beginning of so many lucky events happening in your life?

Many of you may recall last fall when I announced I was "learning to run" so I could participate in a 5K race with my niece, her step mom and sis, and my niece's friend (who actually came up with the idea in the first place).  From July to October, we followed a running program in order to build up our endurance for that event.

 I am adding the link to that big day of the run (HERE).  I have to say, it was one of the best times in my life.  Not only was it amazing to be in the middle of thousands of other runners. . .but specifically, to be there with my niece and her family and her friend. . .but to also be there with my very own son!  

He is a real runner....with marathons, half marathons, 10Ks and many 5Ks under his belt.  On that memorable day in October,2010, he stuck by my side every step of the way until we crossed the finish line together!  I'm tearing up as I write this. . . excuse me while I grab a tissue.

 

 

 

 

OK......

 

 

SO, as I started. . . .isn't it amazing how one thing can lead to another?

 

Since last October, I have been in four additional 5Ks.  

Continuing to "train" has not been easy for me this Spring and Summer.  First, because I have been dealing with Plantar Fasciitis and secondly...it's been MISERABLE in the Kansas City area weather wise.  

While I "learned" to run during the same time of year last summer.....the conditions were totally different.  We didn't have the extreme heat and humidity that we have had this year.  This Summer totally took the wind out of my running sails.  So often I have gone out. . .only to hit the 2 mile mark and call it quits.  

As I said the Plantar Fasciitis was another issue that was really bad, especially in March.  I had to  lay off of the running. . . plus do all sorts of stuff .....like lots of icing and stretching my foot, getting new orthotics and different shoes and sleeping with a night splint ( a miracle worker).

Anyway, on my quest to seek out advice from anyone and everyone who was a runner.....and who had dealt with the same foot issue....I was constantly talking to folks.

It was during this time of seeking Plantar Fasciitis advice that I ran into one of the most amazing women I've ever met.

She is 77, has been running for 30 years. . . and knows the pain of Plantar Fasciitis.  She told me she once ran in a marathon with that condition.   What a trooper!! 

She had my undying admiration from the first conversation I had with her.  I peppered her with question after question.  You see, she works for a local running store, so not only is she up to date on what's hot in running and running issues . . . she's an experienced runner. . .having participated in longer distance events (with her friends....one who is in her 80s!!) all over the USA!!  So, to say I am in awe of her is totally an understatement.

I met her last Spring at the running store. After we'd talked for quite a while I explained to her that I have this blog and would love to interview her for it.  It took us several months to make that happen....but it finally did a week ago.

Of course, I HAD to take her a little token for her time and it just wouldn't be right if my gift was in a bag that was any color than PINK!!!

THE STONE RABBIT was so excited when I told him what I was about to do.  He hopes he gets to meet her in person one day. . . I'm betting he probably will!

 

 

 

We spent about an hour and a half together that evening. . . and it was SO much fun.  She's so interesting and sweet to share her stories with me.  I have to say, I had trouble taking notes quickly enough, so we will need another time or two together before I feel I have the information I'd love to share on some of my posts.

She's truly an inspiration to me in every way.

AND If I hadn't been a runner, I probably would never have met her.

Lucky me!!!

 

 

The Friday of that same week, I had another amazing experience. . . one also related to running.

Let me back up a bit.  Nearly every Sunday my husband and I have breakfast with two folks who attend our church.

Last fall I started talking about how I had been training to run my first every 5K. . . I jibber-jabbered over the program I was using and how this was gonna be a family event. . .I was pretty giddy.

I figured they thought I'd lost my marbles that I was starting this running thing so late in life.  However, instead of the reaction I had expected, the lady said to me "I have someone you need to meet."

She went on to tell me about a friend of hers, also our age, who just competed in a half marathon in Disney World with a buddy of hers. . . and how they had gone to other states to do the same thing.  

Well, I was blown away by that information. . . another older runner- - -and one who does longer distances, too!!!!  I could hardly wait until we met.  So, earlier in the Summer we met for lunch, to get to know each other, then last Friday, we met to RUN together on a local trail.

She is more of a distance person. . .10K's and half marathons.  In those events she's a runner/walker. . . meaning she does both. . runs a while, then walks awhile.

She was impressed that I could actually run the entire 5Ks I'd been in. . . well, cept for the last one and I had to stop and walk a couple of times,but prior to that, I ran them.  And I was impressed that she could do a half marathon!!!

So we made a deal. . . I would encourage her to completely run a 5K and she would encourage me to increase my distance....by starting with running/walking!

Prior to last Friday, she had been working on her endurance using the same program I had when I learned to run, "THE COUCH TO 5K RUNNING PLAN".  She had worked her way up to where she was alternating running 5 min., then walking 3 min. for a total of 30 min.  She was at the level on the program where she was to move from 5 min. to 8 min. and just hadn't gotten the nerve to do it.

WELL...on that day, she not only ran two 5 min. runs, but the last one was for 10 minutes!!!  It was thrilling to see her accomplish that and she was so happy with herself as well!

When we finished our run, we headed over to a local coffee shop so we could visit a bit.  I took this picture with my cell phone. . . so I was turning it around backwards and trying to get a closeup of us. . . after our first run together.

I told her that we had to immortalize the beginning our running journey. . . and also, if she was gonna be my friend, she'd just have to get used to me taking lots of photos !  :)

That's me on the right with my PINK visor and Mary on the left!  Doesn't she look happy?  Yep....and so was I!!!

And to think. . . if I wasn't a runner, I would probably not have met her. 

Lucky me.

OK, so now, hang on. . . I have one more amazing thing to share.

When I started running and using the Couch to 5K Program, I became a Fan of the program on Facebook.  On that page, runners can leave comments about where they are in the program. . .how they are doing. . . when a race was coming up, etc.  Folks are very encouraging to one another on this.

It was during that time that I "met" Patti on the Couch to 5K Facebook Fan Page.  We realized we were both older runners and certainly had a lot in common.  We encouraged each other through the program and through our 5K runs.

Patti also owns an internet business. . .of which I became a fan of on Facebook.  Recently, she shared that she was taking a cross country trip to find her "roots" on the east coast. . . and that she would be passing through my area and would love to meet me.  In fact, she had already arranged to meet lots of people along the way. . .family, friends, internet business connections. . .and now me. . .a running buddy of sorts!

Well, that actually happened last Friday evening!

I thought she might enjoy  some Missouri steaks or bar-b-que, so I suggested a spot that was easily found off the interstate and we met up!!!  Since it was a Friday night, at a really good restaurant, I asked my hubby if he wanted to come, too.  

We had no problem spotting her as she had bought a new van for the trip. . .and had her business logo placed on the sides!

Of course, I had to bring her a little gift, too. . . in a PINK bag.

We had the most enjoyable couple of hours together. . .dining and talking about nearly every topic under the sun!  Running, her interesting business, travel, computers (she really knows her stuff in that area), our families, etc.

She is such a go getter and super interesting person. . . another lady I truly admire and feel so fortunate to have met.

And to think. . . if I wasn't a runner. . . I would never have met her!!  

Lucky, lucky me!!

 

And speaking of lucky, lucky me.

That's how I feel about finding Pink Saturday, over three years ago.

I have met so many amazing bloggers through this event. . . I can't imagine my life without PINK SATURDAY.  Thanks to Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND, we get to enjoy this time together every week!!!

Please visit Beverly's blog for links to LOTS of others who love to talk about the PINKS in their lives, too!

DANA

OUTSIDE HAPPENINGS . . . .

 

When I dashed out to retrieve our newspaper, early Monday morning, this spectacular sight in the sky was waiting for me!!!

 

 

Our sweet neighbor did it again!!!  He's always leaving us special surprises!!!

I don't know whether to be happy or scared!!!  I realized yesterday that our holly berries (which we had nearly zero last year) are very abundant this year , but they're already RED!!!

  Man, I hope that doesn't mean they'll be gone by the time I want to clip branches for the holidays!!!

Help, master gardeners. . . is this a bad thing?

My neighbor's holly bushes are always loaded.  Here is what her berries look like right now.  They are still very green!!

 

I think I'm in holly berry trouble.

Uncle Sam is still proudly waving Old Glory.  He is one of my favorite summery items.

The Liriope are looking awesome. . . 

 and so are these little yellow flowers.  They are very heat tolerant and have been blooming all summer!!

Did I keep the little plant description that came in the pots with them so I would be able to buy them again next Spring?  

Heck no. 

Do you know what they are called?  Help would be appreciated!!

 

The big webs are starting to appear. . . this time, the spidey was not present.  However, last summer, in nearly the very same spot,. . . .

this amazing creature was busy with his/her web design!

 

The other morning, I spied TONS of these tiny snail shells along one side of our sidewalk and driveway.  

Odd.

 

Just thought you'd been impressed that I saw them at all. . . they are very tiny!!

I don't know what caused this to happen. . .it looked like a slug exodus gone bad.

 

Finally, THE STONE RABBIT is helping me get the word out about a 5K Walk/Run that will be occuring near by in September.  

If any of you folks reading this are near the Kansas City area. . . I wish you would look at this link (HERE) and consider being a part of this worthwhile event.  It is being held on the grounds of our lovely Bass Pro and is sure to be a beautiful outing. . . with profits going to WHITE OUT CANCER.

THE STONE RABBIT tells me he hopes that next year the event organizers will include a little run just for concrete yard ornaments!!!  I told him I'd  pass that request along to the folks in charge!!

Keep cool. . .it's gonna be near 100 here again today.

 



DANA

PINKS FOUND ON OUR LITTLE 'DAYCATION'

 

Recently, I took a "Daycation", with a couple of my pals.   We headed to historic Leavenworth, Kansas, which is about an hour away from our town of Independence, Missouri

You've probably heard about a couple of places in that town already.....like Ft. LEAVENWORTH, which is the oldest active Army post West of the Mississippi and LEAVENWORTH FEDERAL PENITENTIARY, which is the largest maximum security institution in the United States, currently housing 2,000 inmates.

We did drive by those places. . . but our mission on that day was on the lighter side.  We were in that area for entertainment, exploration and fun. . . in other words for some serious shopping, antiquing, and dining!!

 

The downtown historic district is composed of several blocks of gorgeous old buildings that are the homes to many fine businesses.

 

We were in the downtown area from 9:30 a.m. until about 5:00 p.m. . . almost going at a break neck speed just to be sure we covered as much of the area as we could.

This was a great antique mall. . . and if I had my van that day I would have done a major impulse buy on a great old dining room table and chairs.  I did take pictures of it and re-looked at them many times, eventually talking myself out of a trip back to buy them.  Anyway....this place had tons of terrific items!

This was a very fine quilt shop.

While we hit several other antique shops, specialty stores and ate at a delightful spot called THE PEACOCK CAFE', our MAIN reason for heading to Leavenworth was to visit this wonderful shop!!

An antique vendor friend of ours highly recommended this store, so we decided to make a day trip out of it. . . .and we are so glad we did!

You can just tell by the amazing exterior of the store that it would be filled with spectacular and fun items!!!  Heck....that PINK awning was worth the trip from KC!!!  :)

We were promptly greeted by Stacy, the sweet owner, and given a quick overview of some the items she offers for sale. . . many of which are hand made by local artists!

 

 

There are so many darling displays and punches of PINKNESS in this shop. . . I have to say I was nearly drooling on myself!  I'm really wanting to find a chalkboard/easel and paint it PINK like Stacy did. . . isn't it the best?

 

Here we are for our "group shot".  L to R  Me (Dana), Bonnie, Marian and ?!!!  I'm so sorry I have forgotten this lovely lady's name!!  

Stacy didn't want to be in the photo, so she had her sales lady step in while she took the picture.   I don't recall her name,  but I do remember she was as sweet and helpful as she could be!!

Stacy makes candles. . . tons and tons of candles.  Sadly, I didn't  get a photo of her display wall, but you would be very impressed by the large variety of colors and scents she has to offer.

You can visit Stacy's shop via Face book simply by going to this link!  CANDLE QUEEN CANDLES.  You'll see lots of great store pictures and you can also shop on line!!

After  sniffing every scent she had to offer. . .  I came home  with this one and I LOVE IT!!!  It's the perfect smell for this time of year.  

 

THE STONE RABBIT is in agreement with me about how wonderful my new candle smells and how beautifully it burns!

Stacy has a few scents with some pretty shocking and catchy names.  You can see in this picture just how  shocked Bonnie was when she saw that label!!!

(Bonnie is so good about following my orders:  "look shocked", "look happy", "look sad".  She's a real blogger's asset !!  :)

 

Yep. . . here's the label on the candle she was holding.   Stacey says they fly off the shelves!  :)  

Bet that would make the perfect gift for someone in your life, huh?  

We had such fun visiting Leavenworth, Kansas.

 I know YOU will have fun visiting the loads of bloggers waiting for you at HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  

Beverly has everyone organized for another fun weekend of PINK shares!

Thank you, Beverly!

Happy PINK SATURDAY to everyone!

DANA

BOXING UP THE MOMENT

 

 

Sometimes I just want to pinch myself when life is so momentarily sweet.  Those times don't seem to happen that often and when they do. . . I just want to box myself up with them. . . so they'll last a little longer.

Like this morning, for instance. . . .

I had a super duper full day planned, but I wanted to spend some time taking in the gift of our amazing Missouri morning before the rain (which our lawns will more than appreciate) rolls in.

 

I positioned myself at the far end of our patio.....the part where there is no roof.....and just stared up at the blue sky. . . watching a buzzard circling south of our house. . . then hearing the drone of a small plane and eyeing the sky til it popped into view.

 

 

The noise from a nearby high way was gone, now that rush hour was over, and all I could hear was the wind picking up . . . bringing in some dark clouds and causing the plants on our patio to rustle and the big trees in the yard behind us to stir.

 

 

I wanted to use this quiet, alone time to jot down questions I have for a little "interview" I'm doing with a fellow "elder runner" and . . . 

 

 

to read a few more pages in THE HELP.  I've vowed I will not see the movie til I finish reading it.

 

Once in a while, I've been letting my kitty Twiggy out on the patio with me, too.  I can't trust her to "stick around" like I can my older (and a bit brainier boy cat, Frankie), so I put THE STONE RABBIT in charge of watching her while I wrote my questions and read in my book.

 

 

It was such a rare and peaceful moment we were having and I have to say, I was totally absorbed in my writing and reading. . .when  I was jolted back into reality by the sound of loud squawking Canada Geese. 

 

I heard the sounds, then saw five air born, and ENORMOUS, geese bodies barely clearing the roof of the house across the street, then zooming between our house and that of our neighbor's . . .at a very, very low level.  

Now, we have lots of geese sightings (and ducks) around here because of the pond on a nearby golf course, however, I've NEVER seen them flying over so close to the ground. . . and my head!!!

I wish I had been quicker thinking to grab my camera and snap a photo of them, but I was literally shocked at how fast they came out of no where. . . .  so loudly and low flying, to their next stop.  

This was little Twiggy's first experience with a goose....let a lone five of them.  Once I saw that they were so close, I quickly looked for her, wondering if she was gonna head for the door or make a dash for it off the patio,  but she didn't do either.  Instead, she took the "how small can I make myself look approach" and flattened out on the patio floor. . .doing everything except putting her little paws over her eyes.

 

When the noise stopped, she rose up and hesitantly looked around. . .trying to determine the current safety level.  :)

 

So, while my "quiet time" had been quickly turned upside down, I had to appreciate the moment. . . even when nearly dive-bombed by some noisy, low-flying geese. . . it was a pretty spectacular moment getting to see them up close as they made their way to the pond.

Another thing I appreciated this morning is how most of my plants have survived this crazy hotter than usual summer we've had.  I've had to have most of the pots pulled under the roofed part of the patio or they would have fried for sure.  This weekend, I was able to place them back in the spots they belong.

While I tend to be  a "glass half empty" gal who does strive  to be a "glass half full" person. . . I'm always better off when I sip my morning coffee from my beloved Mary Engelbreit Santa cup.  I find that if I can keep focused on "BELIEVE"  that my mind is in a happier, brighter place. . . at least until the geese take me by surprise again!  

 DANA 

INSPIRATION and MIRACLE MAKEOVER

 

This weekend, I am honored to participate in a huge project going on in blogland.     By joining forces with MIRACLE MAKEOVER and Kelee Kadilac, we can help raise money for room makeovers for people in need.

 Last year, the "reveal" room makeover was for Collette who was battling cancer.  This year, little Charlie will benefit from the makeover.  To read about Charlie, please read the note from Kelee at the end of this post.  

The money raised this year will help someone in the future.

How do we raise money for these wonderful makeovers?  EASY!!!!  Just leave a comment on the blogs listed below.  For each comment left at the featured posts , a dollar is earned!!!  Money is also earned when bloggers let Kelee know they are "linking" up to her post and are sharing a special post about inspiration.

 Design Gives Back @ Design Gives Back/Kelee

Pink Saturday @ at How Sweet the Sound/ Beverly 

Spiritual Sunday  @ Spiritual Sunday /Charlotte & Ginger

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch Blog /Susan

Country Wings in Phoenix @ Country Wings in Phoenix Blog/Sherry       

 

As a blogging participant, we were asked to share something that's inspirational to us.

For me, inspiration comes from one of my favorite authors. . . . Theodor Seuss Geisel aka Dr. Seuss.

 

 

 I fell in love with his writing style the first time I became aware of his books. 

While Theodor Geisel may have had some underlying political messages in many of his works, to me, they simply tell good tales in enjoyable and interesting ways. . . and they impart important life messages.    He parades us through his stories with his own jargon and toe tapping meter leaving us entertained and reminded about the important things like being kind and faithful and directed.

 

Such is the case with the book that is my favorite:  OH THE PLACES YOU WILL GO.

 

 

This is basically a book about starting out after graduation. . .the good and bad that lies ahead, but it is also appropriate for entering any new situation or journey you find yourself in.  I feel it appropriately applies to just living each and every day.

While so many of the passages in this book speak volumes, this is my favorite and most inspirational:

 

"You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction  you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."

 

What a great thought to start each day!

 

Thank you Dr. Seuss. 

 

 PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING AND VISIT THE LINKS SHARED BY KELEE!

 

Here is a message from Kelee:

"You may have heard about the up-coming MiracleMakeover Video Reveal Party. We will be sharing the story of a little boy who is probably a lot like your son, grandson or nephew; he loves cars, trucks and trains. Charlie enjoys riding his bicycle, too. But, he is different than most eight year-olds in two ways: he has brain tumors and he leads a toy drive to help kids in chemotherapy to have happier holidays. "Charlie Santa" was founded by our hero when he was just five and in his first round of chemo. This is one of the reasons he was chosen to be an ambassador for kids with Neurofibromatosis Type1, and a recipient of a Miracle Makeover.... here is a little about Charlie and his family.... I hope you decide to write a post for the internet-wide party the week of August 12-18; posting on Facebook and leaving comments will help raise more money for anotherMiracleMakeover for someone in-need. Read all about it here..... or HERE and be sure to come to see the heart-warming reveal video of the new rooms for Charlie, Liam and Katie that will be here August 12-18. Read the story of his room makeover atGuideposts.org."

 

 

 

 

Be SURE to visit Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  Leave a comment on her post and you have just donated a dollar to this wonderful cause.  Then go over to the other four links I listed above and leave a comment....that makes a total of FIVE dollars you have earned for Miracle Makeover.

Thank you so much.....and Happy Pink Saturday!

 

DANA

STRESS RELIEF WITH PINK . . . . .and LOTS OF IT !!

 

This is what was going on in my "office" on Thursday around 11:00 a.m..

 

Izzie was snoozing on the sofa. . . no doubt dreaming about chasing squirrels around our neighbor's yard.

 

 

Frankie was curled up in his newest favorite "sleepy spot". . . in the corner by my file cabinet.....probably dreaming about stalking birds!!!

Twiggy took her nap position beneath my chair at the computer desk. . . keeping one sweet paw on my PINK flip flop.  I'm thinking she was dreaming about what new "cute" thing she could do to make my heart go pitter patter!!!

 

Yep, while the critters were snoozing, without a care in the world, THE STONE RABBIT and I took our spots in front of the TV. . .watching the stock market tank.

We were both sick about it.

The only thing we knew to do to make it better was to share a PINK Hostess cuppy cake while we kept track of the dive. . . keeping our fingers and toes crossed that it would turn around.

Around 2:00, I could no longer stand watching it, so I hit the road to run errands and grocery shop.  I ended up being gone quite a while.

When I returned home, I thought the market had bottomed out near -400 points. . . .but NOOOOOO!!  It wasn't until THE STONE RABBIT told me to check my iPhone for an update that I saw the super bad final number for the day.    Bad, bad, bad!!!

THE STONE RABBIT  saw I had not taken the news well, so he promptly pulled out the PINK cuppy cake supply again.

 

While he knows that "stress eating" isn't at all a good thing, he does know there is magic in those PINK cuppy cakes. . . so he stacked them high!!!

 

And they helped me feel better. . . for a while. . . until I watched the pundits jabber away on the news about "what is going to happen" and "how bad this is all going to get AGAIN". . . .and then I started to get angry. . . and then I realized I can only do what I can do. . .  and that's all I can do.  

Yep, that's when I ate my last PINK cuppy cake of the day...so yummy and soothing......and just a little "magical" !!

I'm glad I have a nice stash of PINK cuppy cakes.  I'm pretty certain I am going to need them over the days to come.

 

 

Be sure to visit Beverly, our sweet hostess with the mostess, who never loses her cool or lets stress lead her to Pink cuppy cake overconsumption.  You will find her at  HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!!  She will have  many bloggers lined up for  you to visit......all with special PINKS to share wit you!

 

Happy Pink Saturday!!!  

 

DANA

 

 

WONDERS AND WORDS WEDNESDAY. . . #2

 

More Summer Wonders!!!

 

The thermometer in my car yesterday afternoon---an all time high !!!!

 

 

 

The temperature at 8:19 p.m. last night. . . as I prepared to jog!!!  :)  I just ran two miles. . . and I was doing it at a very slow (nearly walking!  :) pace.  It was the hottest temperature in which I have ever exercised.  

 

Today's high is predicted to be ONLY 97. . . .what a welcome improvement!!  :)

 

It's a WONDER our plants are hanging on in this heat wave.  

This is a long stretch on the north side of our house and it the first summer I've been able to keep plants alive there.  It gets blistering heat in the morning, but shade all afternoon.

I planted begonias and moss in vintage galvanized buckets and lined them along side the walk and have really enjoyed watching them grow.....instead of croaking like my previous plants have done.  :) 

 

I am always in awe at how hard I work to keep our plants watered so they won't die, then, the other day when I was jogging I saw this amazing flower blooming in a crack on one of our side streets!

 

On another day,  I saw this moss  filling a crack in a local street.

Yep, the wonders of Mother Nature at work, even in this miserable heat.

 

THE STONE RABBIT wants to remind us to never leave our homes without a bottle of water this time of year!

 

WORDS:

THE STONE RABBIT also wanted this selection to serve as the WORDS portion of the post today!  

It brings back so many memories for me. . . I hope you enjoy it, too!

 

 

 

KEEPING COOL......DANA