The Stone Rabbit

May the Pink Force Be with YOU!

 

Last Pink Saturday, I shared with you that I had fractured a bone in my left hand.  Here you see the first splint the doc put on at my initial visit. 

I have to say it drove me nuts the first two days, but as time went by, I became somewhat accustomed to the "feeling" of it being there.  As the swelling went down and my sprained fingers healed and regained flexibilty, I was able to adapt to doing all sorts of tasks. . . tieing my shoes was a huge accomplishment!  

This week I returned to the orthopedist's office for a "review" of the C-Scan that had been  done the week before. . .just to be sure about the "course of treatment".

 

Yay . . . he continued to believe that the wee bone would knit back without the need for "extra help" through surgery.  The next step was to put a molded, sturdier plastic splint on my hurt paw vs. the traditional plaster number!   I had a plaster cast when I was 9 and had BROKEN my little right arm.   I wasn't looking forward to that experience again. . .they get icky.

 

Here is my new and improved molded plastic splint.

The first thing I asked  the Occupational Therapist, as she was guiding me back to her work station, was "can I have a pink one"?  Pink, she told me,  was only available in the Velcro straps. . . so after much consideration, I went with all black. . . in the interest of "it won't show the dirt " theory.

A template was made of my arm, wrist and hand. . . then transferred to a plastic sheet, which was heated and thus softened so the OT could cut out the pattern.

Next. . .it was dipped into a tub of hot water until it softened again.  She promptly put it over my little limb and gently "molded" it until it formed perfectly to my hurt hand and on up my forearm.

 

I told THE STONE RABBIT that I wasn't crazy about the shine of the plastic and that every time I looked at it I was reminded of something. . .but I couldn't quite figure out what.

He hopped into the house and returned with these items. . .  

 

I have to say, he got it right!!!!  It looks rather Star Warish!  

 

Yup. . just call me Darth Vader's assistant!!  :)  

It's hard to tell, but I'm really smiling.  

One thing I haven't figured out how to do is fix my hair, so maybe the mask is really a great idea!!!  

 

This week I will be looking for a cape to complete the outfit!!

 

 

So I will leave you with two messages. . . the first is:

may the PINK FORCE be with you this week AND . . .

 

 

second, be certain to visit our "out of this world" Pink Saturday Leader, Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She will will have a huge group of fellow bloggers who are ready to share their pinks with you this week!!

Happy Pink Saturday!  

DANA

PINK SATURDAY CELEBRATES 4 YEARS!!!!

 

PINK SATURDAY. 

I joined the Pink Saturday Party  on June 27, 2008.  ( Click here for that inaugural post! ) . . and I can't believe that I've been here evey single week since!

So because this is such a SPECIAL occasion. . .THE STONE RABBIT and I had all sorts of amazing, over the top ideas about celebrating this special day!

THE STONE RABBIT had already recruited his concrete yard buddies to be part of the "Pink Saturday Birthday Parade"...and I had made plans to create  amazingly beautiful cuppy cakes to share with all of the participants. . .but.....sadly.....

 

 a teensy little issue presented itself.

I broke a bone in my left hand!!!!  

Not only did I break a little bone, but I wrenched all sorts of tissues in said hand. . . rendering that appendage pretty much useless!  soooooooooo saaaaaaaaad.  

Did I tell you how much this hurts?  

It HURTS!!!

In fact , it hurts with every little keyboard stroke I make with my sadly bruised digits on my left hand .  Heck it even hurts to scratch my little buddy's ears.  :(

 

So while I was boo-hooing over how I couldn't prepare those awecome homemade treats for everyone, THE STONE RABBIT came up with a mighty fine idea!

Yes indeedy!!  He reminded me of how I have a nice little stash frozen Hostess PINK cuppy cakes!!

 

I just don't know how I ever got through life before I discovered these fantastic delights!!

 

Don't worry, I have plenty to go around, but before you start eating yours, let's do a little something special in honor of this milestone weekend.  

Yeah!!  Let's light some candles and sing Happy Birthday!!!!

So here's to you. . .all of you original PINKIES, all of you who are consistently on the PINK EXPRESS week after week, all of you who join in with PINK when you can, all of you who just recently discovered what a great experience being a part of this weekly event can be, all of you I've become friends with because of PINK SATURDAY. . .

but most of all Here's to YOU, Beverly!!!  Our ever faithful hostess of PINKNESS.  May this weekend be a truly special one for you as you cruise through the many, many blogs who have come together to  honor this 4th Pink Saturday Birthday and YOU!!

 

OH. . .and I just thought you might enjoy seeing where my little hand is fractured.  This is not my actual hand. . .it is one I borrowed from the internet.  HOWEVER, as I recall, my hand looked very much like this when my doc showed me the little fracture on a bone right below my thumb.

My hand is really hurting after all of this typing, so I will stop and ice it and rest it and take some Advil.

HOWEVER, you MUST take the time to visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound, because that's where the Birthday Party Begins!!

Happy Birthday Pink Saturday.

DANA

Remembering Mother's Day 2012

 

This is part of the crowd I was mixing with, bright and early, on the morning of Mother's Day 2012 .  

These gals were standing in line, waiting to receive a nice "giveaway", prior to participating in the  MOTHER'S DAY 5K in Overland Park, KS!!!

 

 

Here were some of the many volunteer folks who helped make the MOTHER'S DAY 5K a huge success.  They were busy readying the "tiaras" for the first time participants in this event!

 

I took this picture as we were waiting for the run/walk to begin. 

There were around 3,500 females participating in the event this year!!!

I can't adequately describe how much fun this is to be a part of!  All females. . .of every age, shape, size and fitness level. . .all out there on Mother's Day morning. . .exercising!!!

 

 

My sweet niece is the one who got me involved with this run. . . she was walking the event with her young niece. . .and got this picture of me with her phone!!

Again this spring, I've been dealing with Plantar Fascitiis in my right foot. . .so my running, after my foot started hurting, has not been consistent. . and because of that, my endurance isn't wonderful.

However, I was very pleased with how I did.  Even with taking two short walking breaks, my time to finish the run was 33 min. and 54 seconds!!  Not bad for an old chick, huh?   There were 138 of us in the age division of 60-64 and I placed 9th!

What's really great is that the ladies who placed in the top three spots in our age division had times of :  24:04, 27:30 and 28:39.

 Wanna hear more?  In the age division of 65-69, with 60 ladies participating, the first three times were 27:55, 29:38 and 30:55.

 I can keep going!!  In the 70-74 group of 23 participants, the first three places came in at 32:31, 40:50 and 42:27.

I can't stop now. . . .in the75-79 age group, with 21 runners/walkers, the first three places were timed at 32:05, 37:19 and 46:12.  

Finally. . .there were 9 participants in the 80-89 group...with times ranging from 47:18 to 1:02:32.

 

 

While it's awesome to see so many great "times" in the various age groups, the really important part to remember is not the speed in which folks complete the 5K, but rather the fact that they are getting out there and moving!

After the run/walk, we could write "Why I'm Doing the Mother's Day 5K" on a piece of paper and then have our pictures taken.  A sweet girl took mine with my phone as I was waiting in line.

Some folks were running in memory of someone. . . there were all sorts of reasons. . . but this time, I felt I did it for me.  Hope that doesn't sound too selfish.

 

After the 5K, I headed over to my son's house, cleaned up, then went to their church because our 4 mo. old Grand Boy #2 was being "dedicated".  It was such a sweet ceremony!!

Here is a precious photo I took of my hubby walking with Grand Boy #1 following the service!

 

The day just kept getting better and better!!  After church, we returned to our son and family's home. . .and dined on an awesome brunch!!!  He made crepes and stuffed French toast.  My hubby fried the bacon and I had made an egg casserole!  What a yummy meal!!

 

After brunch, I watched the Grand Girl show me how she can ride the scooter we gave her for her 5th birthday last year!!   Check out that sweet girl in PINK!!!!  Oh and that scooter. . .well, yes, it's a PINK Hello Kitty number!  :)

Here's Grand Boy #1 heading to the sidewalk for a little ride time, too!!

It was truly a wonderful Mother's Day for me. . . .here I am (clunky blue "running shoes" on!) surround by my sweet grand babies.   It doesn't get much better than this.  

THE STONE RABBIT loved my reason for doing the Mother's Day 5K this year. . . .and hopes you all had a great Mother's Day, too!!!

Be sure to visit our amazing hostess Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND!

She will have a long list of other bloggers who are ready to share their PINKS with you again this weekend!!  

DANA

Happy Pink Saturday Mother's Day 2012

 

I found this awesome basket at a friend's shop recently.  Isn't it wonderful?  I just love the shape of these vintage finds.  I love the faded green color.  I love this kind of basket SO much. . .that this makes the third one I own!!  :)

 

 

They can be used in so many ways. . .like this fast and pretty arrangement!!  I just plunked in two plants I purchased recently. . . they haven't made it to their real pots, yet.

 

Then to make the arrangement look perfect for this weekend, I added a Happy Mother's Day sign!

 

Then I added a Happy Pink Saturday sign!!

At that point, THE STONE RABBIT decided he'd add himself to the picture!!

Would you just look at that cute ribbon he made in honor of Mother's Day!!!!   

He really is a crafty guy!!

Whew.  After all of that creating THE STONE RABBIT and I did, it was time to enjoy a PINK Hostess cuppy cake!!

This one had been frozen for a few months. . . 

but it still tasted superb!!

 

Something else that's superb is paying a visit to Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND.

 

She is our fantastic Pink Saturday hostess.  She always has a huge group of bloggers ready to share their Pinks!!!

 

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Pink Saturday!

 

DANA

Circle Journal. . . Part IV. . .just a bit of PINK!

 

The time is just flying by. . . .I can't believe our Circle Journal group has just finished creating:  our own journal basics and two-page spread (HERE  )  PLUS two pages for three other participants (click  HERE to see  Kathy's of Writer's Reverie) and  (HERE for Grace's of Pink in the City) , and here today...the one I'm sharing NOW. . .   belongs to our very own Queen of Pink. . . Beverly, of How Sweet the Sound!

Just like me, THE STONE RABBIT is a real Christmas nut, so he was super excited when Beverly's journal arrived.  He thought he would "inspire" me if he put on his Santa hat and beard. . .and I do believe he did just that!!

The theme of her journal is CHRISTMAS PAST!  We were to "tell a story, share photos" that represent our Christmas Past.  Since I don't have old photos of my childhood Christmas times, I decided to represent some of my memories through vintage Christmas images.

I started by writing a "story" to Beverly of some of the memories that I cherish of Christmas time and events when I was small.  Of course, being the wordy gal I am, my story was reaching novella length when I realized I needed to "edit". . . a lot, because if I didn't, she would have a journal full of ME and, while I'm sure she would find that fascinating, I'm certain the others, who still needed room to share their own Christmas Pasts would not!  :)

SOOOO. . . I just took a few of the special moments I treasure about Christmas and shared them in  little snippets. . .illustrated, somewhat, by the graphics I'd gathered.

 

 

This process of really thinking about past Christmas times was truly a great journey, Beverly.  I knew I had always loved that season. . . and now I realize it was because my parents seemed to make it so magical for us.  Even though we did not have a lot of material wealth, we were taught to enjoy the spirit of the season through church activities and family time and communtiy events.

Creating with our hands kept us busy and brought us closer as a family unit. . .we prepared special decorations, gifts, and food.  Both of our parents were always "making something". . .so they instilled that "love for creating" through example.  Particpation in programs in school and church was a given.  I count my blessings to have been in that environment during my younger years.

 

I didn't add a lot of "embellishment" to my pages. . .maybe it was the lack of room because of all  of my words.  However, I think I held back because of the simplicity of my pages.  They just represented a really simple and sweet time in my life.  

Of course, I did glitter up the pictures a bit, because my mom (who was way ahead of Martha Stewart in that department) would have liked that.  Also, I added a few old buttons here and there.  They are from her button tin.

 

Then when I took a long, hard look at my pages I realized something HUGE was missing!  I hadn't PINKED them up. . .at all!  SOOOOO. . . 

 

 

I just HAD to put a little PINK sequin on the gift tag I placed on the second page! :)

Working on these individual jounals has been such a great experience.   With no two alike. . .it's a totally new start each time. . . taking me on such a surprise trip from beginning to end.  I am in awe of the creations the other journal members have shared and how incredible each book will be the time they are finished in October!!

 

You will also be on an incredible journey when you visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, this weekend.  There you will find lots of bloggers who are ready to share their PINKS this week.  You never know what you will find. . .just a click away!

 

Happy Pink Saturday!!

 

DANA

PINKNESS IN THE APPLE STORE!

 

 A while ago, I went with my daughter to one of our local APPLE stores because her phone needed a little repair.

 

 

 

While we were waiting for her phone to be "healed", I took the opportunity play with one of their iPads!

 

The first thing I did was check on Beverly's blog and then mine, AND THEN. . .

I started playing creating!  

 

I think it would be great fun to have an iPad, but I have to say. . . I would LOVE to have one of these. . .a Mac lap top. 

Almost two years ago, we had to replace our PC because it finally was time for it to go to Computer Heaven.  It was ANCIENT and slow and we'd had it fixed a few times.....but it finally took it's last breathe.

 I had been saving for a long time for a really fine computer, so I bought an  iMac (which is a desk top computer) . . . .and I LOVE it.  However, we always have to have a Dream List, don't we?  Well, I do...and close to the top is one of these!!!  I love this style because it's so small and portable. . . and yet it does so much. 

THE STONE RABBIT says he's glad I love our computer, but  this is still his favorite kind of "apple"!!

That guy just always puts things into perspective, doesn't he?

 

Happy Pink Saturday, everyone!!!

 

I hope you visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND!  She will have a long list of bloggers ready to share their PINKS with you this weekend!

 

Thank you, Beverly, for inspiring us to look for the PINK in our world!!

DANA

The Circle Journal. . .Part III. . . the PINK is there!!!

 

I shared HERE and HERE about this awesome project I've been so fortunate to be a part of. . . A Circle Journal.  

There are ten of us. . . spread all around the USA.   In January, we each decided on a theme for our very own "journal"...then created the front and back covers and two pages that centered around our theme. . . our interpretation of that theme. Then we mailed the journal  on to the next person on "the list" and they created their own two pages about the theme of that journal.

Over the next few months, we will receive a new journal each month. . .in which we are to create two pages that focus on the "theme" chosen by the person who started that journal.

This will continue until October, when we will all get our very own, completed journals back. . . filled with wonderful pages created by our fellow nine participants!!! 

 Sooooo....during the first week of March, I received Kathy's journal in the mail!!!  Grace had completed her two pages and it was now my turn!!!  

You can see that Grace is all about Marie Antoinette (which is the theme of her journal)....she had decorated her mailing label with Marie!!  :)

 

The theme of Kathy's journal is "Of Seeds and Stars".  

I struggled with how to add my interpretation of the theme.....and I went through several different concepts....and trips to the scrap-booking places....before the "inspiration" hit!

 

 

 

 

In my mind, I was thinking about one of the recent achievements I'm most proud of. . . learning to run at my elderly stage of life.  After all, that journey started with my niece's "seed"/idea of completing a 5K  RUN. . .then after several months of slowly conditioning my aging muscles and veins. . .we were able to do just that.  

I  know  I couldn't have completed that goal without strength, determination and a "head nod" from the Lord above. . . all of those things were in place to help me reach my goal!

Since I didn't really think Kathy wanted to see pictures of me jogging in her wonderful journal. . . I settled on one of my favorite sayings to express what I did with the running experience:

"MIGHTY OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW".

So with my "theme" phrase in mind. . .it was time "express"  it on two small pages!  

I was stumped. . . . . until one day when I really "looked" at this sweet vintage card I'd recently purchased.

While those little maidens were were leaping around a Maypole on the picture. . . in my mind they were running!!!

AND that's how it all started.  Sweet little maidens. . . and my theme about acorns and oaks!  

Of course.....you know I HAD to have some PINK in this journal...so I was thrilled to see that sweet PINK dress on the middle maiden! :)

 

 

 

I am really growing to love this Circle Journal concept in so many ways.  There are pretty much no rules. . .just your interpretation of the various themes.  And I love that it's all about our imagination and stretching the rules. . . like I imagined leaping (OK....in my head, they are RUNNING!!) maidens, carrying acorns in honor of my theme!!  PLUS, those acorns needed to have some sparkle cuz they are the seeds of ideas and goals, so I placed them atop little circles of very vintage Christmas tinsel...only used for very special occasions...like this one!!

I tried to cut the little maidens out so the "Maypole" look was gone, but that wasn't working for me....so I just made the best out of the background they were on.

And while those trees look nothing like real oak trees.. .that was OK because they represent the uniqueness of our goals and dreams and ideas and how, when those goals and dreams and ideas grow and mature and become realized. . . the trees/us have indeed reached the stars.

Sorry my glittery stars and sparkly acorns don't show up in these photos....but they do "shine" in real life.

 

So there you have it. . . another little story expressed in another Circle Journal!!!  This is just the best experience!

THE STONE RABBIT kept wanting me to do something about planting  carrot seeds and share how those little green tops reach for the stars as they grow. . .but in the end, he agreed I am more of a leaper than a gardener!

 

 

 

 

Another goal I have set for myself each and every week for almost FOUR years now, is being a participant in Beverly's PINK SATURDAY.  

While there have been a few times when I was certain I couldn't think of one more PINK thing to post about. . . something always came along to prove that there is ALWAYS Pink to share!!!

Please visit her blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  You will find sooooo many wonderful bloggers who are ready to share  their weekly PINKS!!  

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!!!

DANA

 

TOUCHES OF PINK ON EASTER DAY 2012

 

 This was the front of our house shortly after brunch on Easter morning!!!  

You can see that the big CHOCOLATE BUNNY (featured in last week's Pink Saturday) had decided he liked the view better from the front porch, so he positioned himself in a planter by the windows.

In fact that bunny was so excited because he was able to watch the Easter Bunny hide eggs all over our front yard while we ate our brunch!  If you look closely, you can see several of those eggs waiting for the two older grand kiddos.  

At the moment this photo was snapped, the two older Grands were eagerly waiting behind that closed door.....decked out in their bunny ears and holding their empty baskets....ready to fly out and snatch up the eggs!!!

 

 

The doors flew open and the kids flew out!!!  The hunt was ON!!!

You can see the Grand Girl wore her Easter Pinkness..right down to the bunny ears!!  She was a PRO at egg snatching this year....note she's going for egg #2 before putting egg#1 in her basket!!  Easter Egg Hunt Rule #1!!!

Grand Boy #1 loved gathering eggs this year, too.  Being three years younger than the Grand Girl, he's a little slower at it, but that's made up for by how much he savoured every little moment of the event!!

Grand Boy #2, who is now three months old, was all about "napping" on our girl's shoulder while his siblings nabbed the eggs.  :)  Next year. . . .he just might be ready to collect an egg or two!!

We had a wonderful "non-traditional" Easter dinner, too.  Our son grilled brats, Italian sausages and hot dogs. . . and awesome corn on the cob!!  Our DIL fixed scrumptious butter for the corn by combining Feta cheese, chopped fresh mint and real butter.  SO GOOOOOD!  We also had fresh asparagus!!  

All in all, it was a heavenly meal. . . our first "grill" of the year! And, because the weather was so perfect, we were able to dine outside on the patio!!

As I type this post, early on the Friday after Easter Sunday, the wonderful yellow tulips my son and his family gave us, are still gorgeous. . . a constant reminder of a perfect time together on Easter 2012.

THE STONE RABBIT told me recently, he thought he'd give our Easter Celebration 2012 a "10"!  Everything was great. . . the Easter service at church, the brunch, the egg hunt, the dinner, the weather. . .but most importantly the fact that we were able to spend quality time with people we love so very much. 

Please visit our hostess, Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She will have a long list of fellow bloggers eager to share their Pink Saturday posts with you this weekend---lots of quality computer time is in store for you!

Happy PINK SATURDAY!!

DANA

An Easter Visitor!!

 

Today, just a few minutes after THE STONE RABBIT had gone outside for his morning "constitution", I heard him excitedly yelling at me to come and look at what he'd found!!!

Just as I got to the edge of the front steps I could see what was making him so happy!  

Yes, sir!!  Right in the middle of our holly bushes and day lilies sat a giant chocolate rabbit!!!

 

Now we get lots of real live bunnies through our yard and of course I have collected several concrete yard hoppers, but this is a first for me. . . .a giant chocolate rabbit right there in front of the house!!!

THE STONE RABBIT was already chattering away with the big guy by the time I reached them and shared with me that our "visitor" had heard about how we were gonna have the family over on Easter. . . and he was just wondering if it would be OK for him to stay til then so he could watch the little grand kids hunt eggs in our yard!

Of course I told him we'd love to have him hang out as long as he wanted to. . . and I'm certain the grand kiddos will enjoy having him be a part of their egg hunt!!

 

Please visit our hostess, Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  She is certain to have a lot of bloggers who are ready to share their Easter surprises with you!!

Happy Pink Saturday and may your Easter be one filled with many joys.

DANA

Happy Pink Saturday APRIL FOOL'S DAY!!!

My earliest memory of an April Fool's prank was the one played on all of the students at the little one-room school house I attended in grades one through six.

OK....I know most of you regular readers are probably choking on your coffee right now...trying to recover from my "one room school house" tidbit, but it's true.   That was how I spent my very formative elementary school years. . . in one room, grades separated into rows across the room. . . all taught by ONE teacher.  

 I have so many memories of my years in that learning environment. . . one of which stands out so vividly in my mind.....The April Fool's Prank.

We were lucky to have a separate room attached to our main school room. . . it was our "cafeteria".  We had our very own "lunch lady", too. . . Julia Mae. . . who was our wonderful cook.  

On that particular day, we filed into the "cafeteria" for lunch and took our seats, preparing to dine.  As I recall, one by one, we prepared to enjoy our lunch, but promptly realized we couldn't get any milk to come up through our straws.  

There we were, sipping away. . .little eyes popping out from the strain of trying to pull milk up from the cartons, through the paper straws and into our little thirsty mouths.  The entire room was filled with little kiddos who were pretty stunned that their straws "weren't working" that day.  It was then that we realized "someone" had spent a great deal of time stuffing a bit of paper in to each of our straws. . . as her own little lunch time prank.

In my "little child's mind" I can still see Julia Mae chuckling over her April Fool's surprise!  How lucky am I to have such a wonderful memory. . .thank you one-room school house.. .thank you Julia Mae.

THE STONE RABBIT has heard my April Fool's Story so many times,  he had to make a little escape to our neighbor's tulip patch. . .no doubt dreaming up a little April Fool's  prank of his own!

Please visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND!  She will have a long list of bloggers who are ready to share with you this weekend!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!!!

 

Thank you, Beverly!!!

 

DANA

 

NOTE:  My banner was created by Jill of  Bittersweet Cottage Design.  Thank you, Jill!!!