Support Breast Cancer Research, Enter a Contest

It's late in the month of October, and it is still pink everywhere.  I'm a survivor myself, but every year during this month I sort of put my head down and wait for it to be over.  I'm grateful for the funding that I know enabled my own survival and that of so many other women and men, I truly am!  I've participated in fundraisers even.  It's the advertising onslaught that gets to me, I guess.  For 5 years now (hooray!  Five year survivor!) I've just not wanted to be reminded.

I've become more comfortable with being reminded as time has gone on.  I think part of  'not wanting to be reminded' is sadness over the many family members I've lost to reproductive cancers;  Mom, Dad, Grandmother, Aunts...the list goes on.  None of them saw age 60, and now I'm 61.  Sobering, it is. 

This year, because I enter contests, I've noticed many items being given away in contests that benefit various reproductive cancer non-profit organizations.  Special kudos go to Shape Magazine, who collected up many of these contests, and put links on their website.  There are some great contests, and links to the parent companies that are donating 10% or more of the profits they make selling their products to research.  Have fun!

Enter Daily:

1. http://www.prevention.com/promise-me-sweepstakes/index.shtml Prize is a book: Promise Me: How a Sister's Love Launched the Global Movement to End Breast Cancer; the story of how Nancy G. Brinker founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
2. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-stylish-ice-watch Prize: An ICE watch with a pink dial, to remind yourself to do a breast self-exam and to head in for your mammogram. 20% of proceeds from all Ice-Watches purchased in October benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure Miami.
3. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-reese-witherspoons-avon-denim-jacket Prize: pink denim Crusade jacket. 100% of proceeds benefit the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.
4. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-dozen-butter-lane-cupcakes Prize: win a dozen Butter Lane Cupcakes (special edition B-cup cakes). $1 of every cupcake sold goes to Look Good...Feel Better, a cancer support charity that helps women manage the side effects of cancer treatment.
5. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-opi-pink-shatter-nail-polish Prize: OPI Pink Shatter Nail Polish. For the fifth year OPI will be donating $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
6. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-special-edition-spibelt Prize: SRI Belt that will hold your keys, ID, phone, etc., while you are running. Special edition Breast Cancer Awareness Belt. Www.SPIbelt.com
7. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-ron-white-gift-card Prize: $350.00 gift card for shoemaker Ron White. $100 of each Ron White Signature Robin Peep Toe Pump will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Www.ronwhite.com
8. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-cute-and-coordinating-pampered-chef-kitchen-set Prize: Trio of bowls, small plates, dessert plates, rubber gloves with matching scrubber, towels, pink cutting board and knife. $1.00 of every Help Whip Cancer Pampered Chef Product will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Www.pamperedchef.com
9. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-shop-design-spark-cocktail-ring Prize: Shop Design Spark Cocktail Ring. Shop Design Spark is donating 15% of procees during the month of October to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Www.shopdesignspark.com
10. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-top-secret-pink-ribbon-bra-tops Prize: Top Secrets Prop Top with Pink Ribbon Bra. !00% of proceeds go to the American Breast Cancer Society. Www.topsecretsociety.com
11. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-shop-design-spark-multi-layered-necklace Prize: 14” necklace that is layered with Crystals, silver beads and pink stones. Shop Design Spark is donating 15% of sales during the month of October to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Www.shopdesignspark.com
12. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-shop-design-spark-earrings Prize: diamond shaped pink and gold earrings. 15% of proceeds from these Shop Design Spark earrings go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure during the month of October. www.shopdesignspark.com/
13. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-henri-lou-fuchsia-suede-bag Prize: Henri Lou fuchsia split suede bag with hand braided leather straps. Henri Lou is donating 15% of the proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in October. Www.3lab.com
14. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-3lab-bb-cream Prize: 3LAB's Perfect BB SPF 40 Moisturizor Cream from Barneys New York. 3LAB will donate 10% to CEW's Cancer and Careers. Www.cosabella.com
15. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-cosabella-prettie-pink-lingerie Prize: Lingerie set from Cosabella's Prettie in Pink. 10% of sales will to go Bra-Ha which helps local breast cancer centers provide mammograms and early detection awareness.
16. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-dawn-baker-copper-necklaces Prize: Pink copper beaded necklaces hand strung in Africa. Dawn Baker will donate 15% of proceeds to City of Hope, a pioneer in research for breast cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Www.dawnbaker.com
17. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-harry-and-david-pink-pears Prize: Harry and David pears dipped in dark chocolate and pink-colored white chocolate. 25% of sales from this treat are being donated to The Noreen Fraser Foundation for Cancer Research. Www.harryanddavid.com
18. http://www.shape.com/sweepsproducts/products/win-henri-lou-bracelet Prize: Metal and Leather Bracelet from Henri Lou. 15% of each bracelet will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure during the month of October. Www.henrilou.com

Enter Once only:

1. http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/r/regf2?a=0&aid=2088157130&n=1 Prize: In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awarenes Mont, CHEFS is giving away six Raspberry Ice 'Cook for the Cure” edition Artisan Stand Mixers from KitchenAid.
2. http://www.pillsburystore.com/checkout/contests/KitchenAidStandMixer.aspx Prize: Win a Pink KitchenAid Stand Mixer. In honor of THINK PINK National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
3. http://store.bettycrocker.com/checkout/contests/KitchenAidStandMixer.aspx Prize: Win a Pink KitchenAid Stand Mixer. In honor of THINK PINK National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
4. http://www.mylifetime.com/sweepstakes/focus-on-five Prize: 2012 Warriors in Pink Ford Focus. Ford is a major contributor to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Random photos~

     While going through the pile by the computer that seemingly expands when I'm not looking:  

1.  Spare camera disk.  I decided to see if anything was on it and was surprised to find these~

Both daffodil photos were taken during the 2009 (I think) season in Mt. Vernon, WA.  It was quite difficult weather for photography, being very hazy.  My friend, Karen and I spent the day in the area, exploring.  These were the only daffodils we found, because for the most part I remember it being a tulip kind of day.  Or maybe it was the other way around, and we wanted tulips and only found daffodils.  Must ask Karen...

This guy was having a lesson in how to control your paraglider.  While we had lunch and beach combed on the shore of Padilla Bay, we enjoyed watching the strong winds challenge him.  We were at Bay View State Park, which is east of Mount Vernon.

In keeping with the random theme of this blog, this was taken outside Issaquah, probably also in 2009.  I love the way the foggy clouds seem to grow right out of the mountainsides.  And in the Puget Sound area, you simply cannot beat Issaquah for fall color.  Right at the doorstep of the Cascade Mountains, it's an amazing place to play and live.  Why don't I live there, you ask?  It's proximity to Microsoft and other software companies make it very expensive, even during an economic downturn.  I live in fairly close proximity to the Sound, and you really can't beat that, either.

I am Honored and lucky to be one year older :)

 I think I AM very honored to share a birthday with some of the folks below...me, Trump, Che and Boy George, now that is a motley crew, lol!
    Favorite birthday memory:  When I was three my mom happened to drive down University Avenue in Palo Alto, and it was lined with flags.  I beheld this with amazement, and asked her "how did they know it was my birthday?".  She replied, "Well, I don't know how they knew".  The annual birthday drive up University became a tradition, until, that inevitable time that it joined the ranks of Santa and the Easter Bunny.

June 14: 

1. This is the date when Congress adopted “The American Continental Army”.   Birthday of the US Army.http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/birth.htm, http://www.army.mil/birthday/228/eventsAccessions.htm
2. Flag Day.  Adopted in 1891. http://www.usflag.org/flag.day.html
3. 1811, Harriet Beecher Stowe, birth of an Abolitionist. http://www.gospelcom.net/chi/DAILYF/2001/06/daily-06-14-2001.shtm
4. Feast Day:  St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea, confessor, 379; Saints Rufinus and Valerius, martyrs. St. Docmael, or Toel, confessor, 6th century; St. Nennus, or Nehemias, abbot, 7th century. St. Psalmodius, hermit, 7th century; St. Methodius, confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople, 846.http://www.thebookofdays.com/months/june/14.htm
5. 1866, Gurdjieff.  http://en.thinkexist.com/birthday/June_14/
6. 1895, Rabbi Louis Finkelstein, http://en.thinkexist.com/birthday/June_14/
7. Gene Barry, actor http://www.clevelandseniors.com/people/junebd.htm
8. 1919, Dorothy McGuire, actress http://www.clevelandseniors.com/people/junebd.htm
9. 1928, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, Argentinian ‘guerrillero’ and communist figure in the Cuban Revolution, 1928-1967. http://en.thinkexist.com/birthday/June_14/
10.  1925Pierre Salinger, journalist http://www.clevelandseniors.com/people/junebd.htm
11. 1931 Marla Gibbs, actress, http://www.clevelandseniors.com/people/junebd.htm
12. 1946, Donald Trump, entrepreneur.  “The point is that you can’t be too greedy”.http://en.thinkexist.com/birthday/June_14/  
13. 1961 Boy George, singer http://www.fun4birthdays.com/birthday/june_14.html
14. 1968 Yasmine Bleeth, actress http://en.thinkexist.com/birthday/June_14/2_1.html
15. 1969 Steffi Graf, tennis player http://en.thinkexist.com/birthday/June_14/2_1.html
16. Alan White, from Yes and the Plastic Ono Band http://classicrock.about.com/library/misc/blbirth_june.htm
17. Rod Argent, from the Zombies and Argent http://classicrock.about.com/library/misc/blbirth_june.htm
18. Barry “The Fish” Melton, country Joe and the Fish, http://classicrock.about.com/library/misc/blbirth_june.htm
19. Harry Turtledove, Science fiction author http://www.skyseastone.net/jvstin/unjvst/003154.html
20. Burl Ives, singer/actor, http://www.holidays.net/dailys/2004/dailys06202004.htm

Other June 14 events:

1. Pop Goes The Weasel Day http://www.laughinglynx.com/coolstuff/birthday/birthday.html
2. Family History Day, http://www.holidays.net/dailys/2004/dailys06202004.htm
3. USArmy Anniversary, http://www.holidays.net/dailys/2004/dailys06202004.htm
4. World Juggling Day, http://www.holidays.net/dailys/2004/dailys06202004.htm
5. Rice Planting Festival (Japan), http://www.holidays.net/dailys/2004/dailys06202004.htm

June Birthdays

• Modern Birthstone: Pearl or Moonstone
• Ancient Hebrew Birthstone: Emerald
• Ancient Roman Birthstone: Emerald
• Ancient Arabic Birthstone: Agate
• Ancient Hindu Birthstone: Pearl
• Flower: Rose
• Fruit or Vegetable:m Corn and Lemon
• Herb: Tarragon
• Color: Cream or light blue
• Motiviation for the Month: "I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star, I'd rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might-have-been has never been, but a has was once an are." - Milton Berle

It's a Temblor

Not a tremblor.  

 Arizona roadcut reveals fault lines, taken on the fly (we're not stopping).

More drive-by photography.  I find fault lines to be deeply interesting...imagine the force of movement the earth must have made when creating these shifts.

Temblor is from the Spanish word 'Temblar', to shake.  It means exactly what we think it means, and it comes from the Latin:  tremulus, to shake.  Since California is a hotbed of shaking, and California once belonged to the Spanish, it makes some sense to me that we call earthquakes by what is essentially an Spanish word.  I do wonder, however, how temblor came to be in common usage.

I've been addicted to the Pacific Northwest Earthquake Tracker for quite a while now.  It records any earthquake larger than a 1.0 on the Richter scale.  Today, there have already been three; 1.1, 1.3 and 1.7 in various parts of the Puget sound area.  Yesterday there were 9 of them, three of which were at (surprise!) Mt. St. Helens.  St. Helens has not gone quiet, and there are several small quakes beneath Mt. Rainier on any given week, as well.

The only time that I have noticed a long period of earth quiet was for three days after the recent 9.0 quake in Japan.  We're all connected...sobering, isn't it?  I consider those daily mini quakes a comfort, a little 'steam' being let off, so to speak.  

Zion National Park #1

And the (heart) beat goes on!

Youngest daughter had her cardiology check up today. They really want her to have a further open heart surgery to allow her heart to pump more blood, but since she's not any worse off this year than she was last year, we stay in a holding pattern for another year. She's made it 27 years on her three chambered heart, which got rearranged into 3 1/2 when she was two years old.  She was the first with her defect (double outlet right ventricle) to have a successful repair, and that is really saying something.  

Time to exhale :)

Don't you want to come and play?

I've been taking care of Charlie for a week now.  I thought it would be fun to teach her to 'shake' when she gets a treat.  After all, she's great at sit and stay, so why not?  It really, really isn't happening!  She jerks her paw away and looks at me like I'm a crazy person.  I haven't given up, but...

A couple of nights ago she was on the edge of the bed (as above) and dropped her toy over the edge.  I got up and retrieved it.  As soon as I sat back down at the keyboard she dropped it again.  As I retrieved it she did a teeny doggie dance of joy and I realized...she had trained me to retrieve the toy in only two tries!  

Well today is a better day, even if I'm off to the cardiologist with daughter #3.  It is fascinating to watch her get a cardiac ultrasound, even if the reason for it is borderline terrifying.  

Woof.