Does it seem to you, like it does to me, that as soon as Labor Day comes and goes, we have somehow hopped on the train that takes us full speed into the holidays! It certainly does to me!
I am sure that my involvement in fall sales adds to the "fullness" of this time of year. On top of my sales, and all of the fun activities there are in which to participate , I also added another "to do" to my "to do list". . . . and that was being a part of a wonderful Circle Journal Group with nine other ladies around the USA! I have to say, being involved in this project, has been one of the best experiences EVER!
I was so wrapped up with sales on this, the 9th journal to complete, that I was realllllly late getting it finished. However, this week. . .I did it and today, I'd like to share that with you!
This is Nancy's journal (of My Crafty Little Page). The theme she selected for it was "Wise Words".
I have to confess that when she announced that theme about a year ago, that I was sure it would be an easy one for me interpret in my allotted two-page spread. Of course, I was wrong. When I would have the time to put my brain into "focus on the journal mode" I just didn't have any creative approaches to my blank pages. All of the other Circle Journal ladies, who had contributed to Nancy's book ahead of me, had done such a great job. . .and me. . .all I could do was stare at the pages that were telling me to "do something."

So, I guess that's when the wise words of "the hardest part is taking the first step" came to be included in Nancy's journal. As everyone knows, some times all it takes is just "doing something" to get started, then the rest falls in place. That saying also applied to when I started running two years ago. Once I started easing into the "training" part of preparing my body to handle running a 5K, the rest followed! That photo represents one of the best times in my life. I was crushed in a crowd of several thousand folks, along with my son and my niece, as we made our way to the Starting Line of the 5K run of the Kansas City Marathon!! It was the first such event for me and my niece. . . and my boy, who is a real runner, having participated in marathons. . . stayed by my side every step of the way that day!

I wanted to do the lettering by hand instead of the computer, but I quickly realized that is not my strength!! I do love "playing" with different styles of fonts. . .and perhaps this experience will make me spend some time practicing!

This saying probably means the most to me right now. This has been an extrememly challenging year for our family. . .one of those blocks of times when you just don't think you can handle "more" and then "more" happens and you just "keep on keeping on". Of course, I should have added "the Lord doesn't give you more than you can handle". . .because I truly believe that. OK, Nancy, you can squeeze that on one of those pages, too, for me! :) One final note about this, is that the support and prayers we received from family, close friends AND blogging friends were (and continue to be) so very, very appreciated.

Before it was all over, I had a lot of "wise words" that meant a great deal to me personally, most of which were pretty serious, but because I ran outo room, I had to select the ones that really meant the most to me right now. I also wanted to add some humorous "wise words" because finding humor when times are bleak, can really serve to help pull you through. . . thus the section about the beaters!! :)
I added the cowgirl picture, because Nancy is a Texan and a cowgirl at heart and because it reminded me of our Circle Journal group of friends and my real life friends!
This week, I found a old hankie at our local antique mall. . .and I used parts of it to trim the sides of my pages. . .and then I glued some of the little flowers around that were also on the hankie.
In the photo above, you'll see an old TWA button and on the photo below is an old turquiose button. They both came from mom's button tin. :)

Little Twiggy is showing you how full Nancy's book now looks! Only one more person has to complete their pages. . .then it will be returned to Nancy. . .looking totally different than when she mailed it off so many months ago!

Here it is, Nancy. . . all packed and ready to go to Kay Ellen's house!! I added one of my favorite ribbons for you. . .I think those are some very "Wise Words", too!!

Now for the theme of this week's Pink Saturday. . . Fall Flowers and Foliage!
We were fearful that our extremely hot and and dry summer would affect the beauty of our trees in the fall. . .but the experts were wrong!! Our trees have been magnicent!!!
This is our neighbor's tree. . .right across the street from our house!!

I took this photo a few days ago when I was out for a walk. . .a wonderful yellow umbrella!!

Last Sunday, my husband and I drove through the park of our local Bass Pro and I took this yummy fall picture.
Do you see the "trail" to the right of the street?

Here is the trail as it continues around the park area a few days later. I was running on it. . .and it felt so great!! What a lovely place to exercise or just relax and take in the joys of the fall.
Actually, I decided to run the trail instead of the streets around our neighborhood where you'll usually see me trotting around, for a change of scenery. I'm gearing up to run in the 5K of the Kansas City Marathon again! This will be my third time!

In fact, this is what I will be seeing early in the morning. . .the gorgeous skyline of KC. . .
as I meet up with about 11,000 other runners and walkers to participate in either the 5K, the half marathon or the full marathon!

One day, I hope to run/walk the half marathon there. . .maybe next fall I will be able to do that! :) But this year, I'm doing the 5K again and am danged thrilled that I can!
Here I am on the "home stretch" last year. I was pretty danged pooped by that point because my pace was faster than what I normally run at when I just go out and run around the neighborhood. . . it turned out to be my fastest 5K run EVER.
I was in good shape, for me, last year. . .better than this year...because I had to lay off for two months while my broken hand healed. So, this year, my goal isn't to run faster than I did last year. . .my goal is just to run and not have to walk. BUT if I need to walk, I will . . .I'm flexible! :)

Here's my boy. . .crossing the finish line after he completed running the half marathon last year!!

Little Twiggy and THE STONE RABBIT are helping me get my running shoes and socks all ready for in the morning!! They are big supporters for me!!

In fact, it was THE STONE RABBIT who pointed out that I had my favorite running socks on the wrong feet! I asked him how he knew that. . .and he pointed out the R and L! I've been wearing that brand of socks for two years. . .and NEVER noticed the R and L until he told me!! :) Maybe that's why my toes would feel funny on some runs and not on others!!! :) I'm very careful now!

There you have it. . .my extra long PINK SATURDAY post!
I hope you've had a good week, that you are having the chance to do something creative and that you can get out and enjoy this amazing time of the year.
I also hope you have the chance to visit our hostess, Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND, because there you will find a long list of bloggers who have great things to share with you this weekend!!!
Happy Pink Saturday!
DANA