Pink Saturday

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month..
Do your part..

Breast Cancer Awareness Month | When it’s OK to say bOObies in public

As most of us already know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Pink Ribbons are everywhere! So…we decided to try and provide a little context to what this whole breast cancer hullabaloo is about. ('cause its not just an excuse to say "boobies" and "tatas" !!)

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) Organization

The NBCAM  was founded in 1985 by AstraZeneca with the purpose of promoting breast cancer awareness, sharing information on the disease, and providing better access to screening services (mammograms).  They also placed an emphasis on encouraging mammograms as the most valuable tool in the fight against breast cancer. Reason being….early detection is crucial! Their website (www.nbcam.org) has some great resources, including how to find a Mammography Center in your area.

The Pink Ribbon

The most common symbol we see for breast cancer awareness is the Pink Ribbon. They are widely used to demonstrate our support for women (and men) who have Breast Cancer, and were first handed out by the Susan G. Komen Foundation in 1991 at the Race for the Cure in New York City.  The ribbon started to become well known a few years later when editor-in-chief of Self magazine, Alexandra Penney placed the pink ribbon on her NBCAM issue of Self Magazine & enlisted Evelyn Lauder of Estee Lauder to distribute them at Estee Lauder Counters.  Over the years, we have seen this pink ribbon displayed in all shapes and styles:

Breast Cancer Statistics and Information

According to the National Cancer Institute, there are over 194,000 new cases and 40,000 deaths per year in the U.S. In addition, there are currently over 2.5 million women alive who have had a history of breast cancer. Here are a couple other quick facts:

• 12% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer some time in their life
• 60% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to the primary site (localized stage)
• From 2002-2006, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the breast was 61 years of age
• The overall 5-year relative survival rate is about 90%

Breast Cancer Video: Show your Support

There are many things you can do to get involved and show your support such as donating money, wearing a pink ribbon or volunteering your time at a local fundraising event.

How You can Help

Breast Cancer Awareness is not just for people with cancer, its not just for women, and its not all done in one month. The prevalence of this disease is so abundant that almost everyone is affected. We would like to encourage everyone to go get screened, or at least to pass along the message to someone who should.You can browse our directory to find a Cancer Imaging and Screening facility near you. Also, we would love to hear about what you are doing this month…be it running, walking or skydiving for a cure. Please drop some comments below and let us know how you are making a difference!

What are you doing to show your support?
Please walk, run, jog on over to Beverly's  for Pink Saturday!

Wednesday Wonders

Discoveries!
Have you seen this Front Door in Coastal Living's October issue? Two things make it so gorgeous -the bright aqua color and the very unique Starfish Wreath. 


The creator of this eye catching Starfish Wreath? Non other than the talented Shari of Beach Grass Cottage! As you can imagine, she is super excited to see her starfish wreath featured..and to celebrate,Shari is giving away 2 dozen 4-5" beautiful White Starfish!
 Imagine what you can do with 24 starfish!                                                                         !
To enter the giveaway,Go To Completely Coastal for complete entry rules and details .
                                                         ~*~*~*~                                                                                 
A bit closer to home, I was out and about in search of local color here in the Denver area..Mostly golds and yellows are predominate in the Locust  and Maple trees..The Trumpet vine on the back fence is beginning to turn 

shades of crimson, reds and orange, Pyracanthia berries are bright Orange..
Also, now is the time for planting fall bulbs....the local nursery and box stores have an ample supply..
as well as an array of colorful Mums..and Pumpkins..



.My Roses keep on trying to bloom, especially the white ones.. it's time to trim them back!

They are beginning to look quite scraggly..wouldn't you agree?

Would love to be doing this!

Might even hike up this creek this weekend..with Nikon of course!
The weather should be very pleasant for autumn leaf peeping!!
Please visit  these gracious hostesses for more 
Wednesday Wonders


White Wednesday        
Outdoors Wednesday  
Watery Wednesday      
Wordless Wednesday  

MondayColors

The colors of  MY world..
My niece Jen  became engaged this past weekend..

Is that one excited girl??
(when he asked her,she emphatically said YES!)

Steve is a wonderful fellow..
we all love him!
I "watched" college football on Saturday..

the term  is used loosely..
I was not in control of the remote..
never really figured who won or lost!
Same story  on Sunday only this time..NFL..

the big Guys!!
a dear friend e-mailed me these gorgeous photos from 
San Maarten, USVI..



made me drool with envy!!
Nikon and I are headed to the Denver Botanical Gardens today!! Free admission!!


Next weekend, my agenda will be searching for this:


and may even go to my favorite place to find these: 
Maroon Bells,Aspen CO!
enjoy your day.. I know I will!!
for more Monday colors....
please visit these wonderful sites!
Blue Monday
Mellow Yellow Monday
Mosaic Monday

Pink Saturday Kodak moments

Kodak Moments..
..
Remember  those moments..
forever imprinted..
in  your mental photo album..
when you encountered your child..
 with a furry friend.

oblivious to external surroundings..
totally absorbed into their world..
unencumbered by rules not of their making..
sharing unconditional love..
with their very own bestest friend!!!

Counting sheep for sleepytime..


Kisses.. 


Strawberry ice cream to cool tongues on a summery day..

For more fun..Please join Beverly and company for more..
Pink Saturday

when Autumn Leaves Start to Fall

Today is not only the first day of fall..
It is also the birthday of my Hero..

a tall, handsome man with black eyes..
black hair..ruddy complexion..

rough, working man hands..
which could also tenderly hold a newly hatched chick..

With only an eighth grade education,,
he was a math genius..
(at least he was to me!)
he knew all about angles, 
and running board feet of lumber..
he could build anything you could describe..
all in beautifully finished detail..
a gifted carpenter..
a house builder..
he built every house we ever lived in..
and there I learned so much
and boats..
and furniture..
a jewelry box for me..
He knew all about  the plants  and trees in the woods..
fishing was his forte..
and i was his fishing buddy from age 5 on..

what he caught, he cleaned ,cooked or saved..
cooking was also one of his greatest accomplishments..
often he was asked "to put on a fish fry " for 50-100 or more folks..
all were filled to the gills with fried fish, hushpuppies, cole slaw..
no one left hungry!
he was a very kind man with a generous heart..

an excellent teacher to anyone who would listen..
beginning with his own four children, 
along with which ever friends happened to be around at the time.
above all.. he was a loving husband and father..
My Hero was my dad..

Celebrating his 78th birthday with all four kids..

sadly he passed away the next year on Father's Day 1994.
I miss him every single day!
so when Autumn rolls around..
I think of the song " When Autumn Leaves start to Fall"
and my Daddy..


   

Can You Believe It?

Two years ago,Mountain Mermaid was born..
I had toyed with the idea after my dear friend DJ (Barrier Island Girl) started hers.
she just happens to live in my part of the world, Pensacola Beach ,Florida!
when I found her , through her beautiful photos of home,
I started commenting on parts of her world that had been my playground since childhood..
back when the island had little to no development  
and was still a pristine environment!
she encouraged me to blog,,but I was not yet ready..
She provided me a daily dose of home which I truly needed..
I was newly arrived in Denver.. and knew very few people yet..
she was my lifeline..a very encouraging lifeline!
This particular creation came to be after my former blog locked me out..
being new to Blogland, of course I was devastated!
I lost everything.. my words, my photos..
but most importantly, my contacts..
of course, i knew exactly how to remedy the situation..
Dy/ Dorothy of Counting My Blessings..
My dear friend,mentor and fellow photographer who really introduced me to this world,
came to my rescue. With her cheerful encouragement and expert how-to advice,
we were up and running! 
For me it was OJT..(On the Job Training)..learning as I blogged along!
I found everyone to be eager to help with any problems encountered..
or questions asked..I've made so many NEW friends..
many whom I've had the pleasure of meeting in REAL Life!!
and they are just as warm, lovely and gracious in person 
as they are at home in their respective blogs..
Altho I do not post DIY projects, or home decorating tips, 
or even crafting or cooking ..
I can and do all of those.. and more..
But what I  really  relish is  posting my photos..
of Florida, the beach,my flowers, Denver and Colorado..
and my furbabies.. 
things I am truly passionate about!
these past two years have been therapy for me..
454 posts...covering everything..
funerals, weddings, illness, triumphs..
and the fun we've shared!
Shelle are you reading this? Your birthday topped the list!!
so .. I just want to say thanks again for opening your hearts..
and inviting me into this wonderful, wacky world of blogging..
 ♥    are you curious yet?
        should I have a first ever Give Away?
         If so, any suggestions?
        I've won my share of delightful "prizes"..
♥     do you have questions about what makes me tick? 


In the meantime..from the archives..
my first Mountain Mermaid post..
with comments!
enjoy!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Waterside Wednesday ..with and without words

                                        Ladybug on Queen Anne's Lace

                                         Morning sun over Pensacola Bay


                                         Good Wednesday morning Blogger Friends!
                                         Cool and cloudy here in Denver today..
                                         Coffee at hand.. deliciously hot and tasty!
                                          ..in my heart tho,
                                          .. the sun is shining brightly!!
                                          hope your world is bright and beautiful too!