The Blender Wench

H.R. 1691 Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2009

2009-05-07T14:06:24Z

As many of you can attest to, I am one of the people who are not too keen on random email fwds and ususally delete them without opening. If I do see one and send it in, it is something that I feel strongly is not to be missed.

The information below is one of those situations. Individually, our voice may not be heard. But combined, we can create a chorus.

Proposed Mastectomy Law Change
(written by a surgeon);

I'll never forget the look in my patients eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patient giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank you' they muttered.

A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2days after surgery.

This Mastectomy Bill is in Congress now. It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. Please take the time and do it really quick! The Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill is importantlegislation for all women.

Please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to go to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same.

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support.. Last year over half the House signed on.

PLEASE! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.

This takes about 2 seconds.

http://www.mylifetime.com/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer-petition

I did verify the info on Snopes to be true. If you want to read more on that, here is the link: http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/mastectomy.asp

Legislative updates on Bill HR 1691 can be found here:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1691

CAT NEEDS HOME IN 24 HOURS!!!

2009-03-16T18:26:25Z

OK this is a long shot...

But does anyone know of someone who is interested in a playful 2 year old spoiled kitty named Munchie? He is an indoor/outdoor tabby cat. He is a bit nervous around children. He loves to play and snuggle and be spoiled.

Owner must find a new home for him by TOMORROW and she doesn't want to give him to SPCA if she can help it. It is breaking her heart. She is renting a room and the homeowner says the cat must go.

Anyone know of a humane facility that does not euthanize she can call?

Adventures in Parenting - Movie Theater

2008-11-24T17:20:00Z

*note: my LJ cut is being funky.

otherwise titled as: Why I won't make the mistake of taking a 2 year old to the movies again.*

*Yes, although I tried my best to avoid it, we were "those people".

Let's see, where shall I start..... (deep sigh)

Columbia now has an IMAX theater at the Columbia Mall. Yesterday (Sunday), my parents, sister, neice and nephew, Christina and her neice, and Carolyn Ann and Melinda were all going to the matinee to see "Madagascar 2". Marwan and I really enjoyed the first movie and wanted to see this one too and wanted to join the family in seeing it. I thought long and hard about the decision to take Aidan to his first movie. He does love Dora and Diego. And he loves zoo animals and can identify a lot of them. I wonder if he will maybe be awe-struck over the large IMAX screen. Well, we can hope so....

The night before I decided to try out our DVD of Madagascar on Aidan. We have a 42" flat screen, wide screen HDTV at the house. I figured this may be the preview to see how he does with the bright colors and animals. Unfortunately, as the movie was playing, he could care less. I should have taken that as a warning.

The entire process of seeing this movie was a large-scale coordination effort with many phone calls. We also decided we were bringing Layla with us, since she will probably sleep and if she does cry, it is very soft and I could shush her very quickly with a bottle or even nursing.

Layla was an angel. Yet, seeing as how she is not the 2 year old in question, I digress.....

So with several phone calls going back and forth the plan was the family would get there early and get the tickets for us, scope out seats, and make sure we have an aisle seat near the exit. Then they would spread out to save the seats for us. My mom would wait in the lobby for us with our tickets, we would pull up to unload the kids while Marwan parks, and we would whisk Aidan in right before the movie starts so he doesn't have to try to sit for 1/2 an hour with no movie on the big screen - we knew that his attention span would just not make it through the waiting. Little did we know that his attention span is actually much, much, much shorter than that even......

We get there about 5 minutes before the previews. We get seated and Aidan is looking around in awe.   I scope out the audience - not sold out, mostly families with small children. PHEW!    Then William, Carolyn Ann, and Melinda all exclaim "Aidan is here!!!" and they all bounce out of their seats the row ahead of us to come up and coo and fuss over Aidan.   Aidan then realizes that there are other seats, other rows, and he can bounce from one to the other too!!! This lasts through most the previews.

Then at the end of the previews, another family sits in the row before us, which then nixes the idea of Aidan hopping row to row - although he doesn't realize this. And then he tries to climb through the seats to get to his cousin in the row in front of us, kicking his head in the process. We keep trying to reign him back in.

Aidan also feels this is a fine time to say "Hi" to all the adult family members sitting in his row. As much as we have tried to teach him what an inside voice or even a whisper is, he just doesn't quite get it. And I have a cold and have no voice whatsoever.   (one could possibly speculate it is from shouting at him, but trust me, it is a cold. But I am sure the shouting doesn't help!!)   The movie is starting. He is going down the aisle shouting his hello's to those he knows.

I try to get Aidan in my lap to cuddle and look at the screen. That works for about 2-3 minutes. Then he feels I am restraining him. And like the theme of the movie - he just has to be FREE!!!!     He tries to run out the aisle. Marwan stops him. He shreiks.

All of a sudden the characters on the big screen break out in song. Music? Singing? Know what this means to Aidan?? "DANCING!!" he exclaims. (note: a two year old's form of dancing consists of jumping up and down, flailing arms, and closing his eyes in the process)   The aisles just weren't enough space to allow my eye-closing, jumping two year old to get his groove on. But he feels the aisle is, with the steps and all. So the slick little sucker gets past his Daddy to jump --- er dance --- in the aisles. I watch with baited breath.   I am waiting for him to fall down the steps.   Marwan reigns him back in. He shreiks and kicks and screams.

Marwan then takes Aidan out of the theater for a few minutes, letting him play in the water fountains. I take a deep sigh and look at Layla, who is content and sleeping, and watch a few minutes of the movie.

Then I hear "Mooooommmmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyyyyyy" coming from the entrance way. He's back.

He flings himself in my lap with his blankie, shoots Marwan a nasty look and clamors on me ready to cuddle. That lasted about 2-3 minutes longer. Then he looks around over my shoulder to see who he can recognize. He starts looking out at the crowd, saying Hi to folks.

I try to have him focus on the movie. He shreiks. I am restraining him, and again, he has to be free! (through a lot of this, the tune to "Born Free' is playing in the background which I found to be very fitting). Aidan then realizes he can crawl down the aisle and I can't catch him. Luckily my family takes up the entire left side of the row, down to the middle. So we let him crawl back and forth.

But then he gets sneaky. My father is on the other end and actually wants to watch the movie! (imagine that!!) So he is zoning at the screen and Aidan would slip right past him, trying to crawl under other people's legs who are not with our group. GASP!   And not only can I not yell because my throat is all raspy, I don't want to because people paid to actually see a movie and who knows how badly I am distracting them from doing that.   So I would have to flag my sister, who flags my mom, who elbows my father to grab Aidan.   I am ashamed to admit that this happened more than once.

Through this entire time, each family member is trying to entice Aidan to be quiet with candy and popcorn. Each person is trying to get him to sit on their laps. It was almost like a game show - who can lure the two year old into submission???

Up until now, I kept telling myself "well, these folks have kids, they are paying to see a family movie at 1:30. A matinee. They should expect this."   But those mantras didn't really reassure me enough. I had it.

I turned and looked at Marwan and said "He has to leave." Marwan scoops him up to play in the arcade. I was hoping they would leave the theather maybe. Perhaps go to the playground at the mall next door. But they didn't. Five minutes later, Marwan and Aidan are back, poking their heads around the corner and Aidan grinning ear from ear waving and saying "Hi Mommy!!" Oy vey.

Aidan crawls into my lap again for about 60 seconds. Then he notices that the front 4-5 rows before the walkway are empty except for two toddlers who are running down the rows, and playing on the steps. Free.

He starts walking towards them. Marwan tries to stop him and he points to the other kids. I am watching with baited breath trying to send Marwan telepathic messages to "let him play.. just let him be free...."   Marwan looked at me expectantly. I nodded his way, encouraging him to just do it.

Aidan is free. He starts running down the aisles, playing on the steps. Quietly.   He and the other little toddler girl start playing tag. Quietly. They are smiling and happy.   I see these little baby heads bobbing down the rows as the run. Free.   The movie is almost over and "born free" starts playing again in the background. I sit back, finally relax, and smile. Yes, baby, you are free......

(5 minutes later, the movie ends)

Craigs List AD

2008-07-30T18:22:12Z

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/hsh/776259839.html

A couch and dryer are free to a good home. Must be picked up by this Friday, August 1st no later than 9 pm from Catonsville/Ellicott City area.

Dryer was only used for 1 year and then indoor climate-controlled storage for 4-5 years. It is a Kenmore 80 series. In good shape, still has plastic protective coating. Some scratches on exterior paint from storage but no dents.

Couch is a sleeper sofa. No rips, tears, or stains.

We are trying to make space for a new baby and it MUST GO before this weekend. Here's your chance. Great for starting out a new home. MUST PICK UP and be able to move! Bring a friend to load!!!

Salvation Army was supposed to get this today and stood me up. They want to reschedule for 2 weeks. I have furniture coming tomorrow to replace this, and a houseguest who will be staying in that room arriving next week. NEED SPACE!!

Amber Alert

2008-06-05T16:13:22Z

this alert was issued ~~just minutes ago...~~ this morning

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY - Maryland State Police issued an AMBER Alert Thursday for a missing Prince George's County child. Authorities said Jose Benjamin Mejia was last seen Wednesday night in the 9400 block of Sandy Creek Road in Fort Washington.

Mejia is Hispanic and is 3 feet tall. He weighs 48 pounds. Authorities did not release his age.

He was wearing a black sweatshirt with red lettering, black sweatpants and a black baseball cap, according to police.

Police believe an Hispanic man, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, may have taken the child.

Anyone with information is asked to call Prince GeorgeÂ’s County police at 301-333-4000.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISHY!!!

2008-03-24T21:25:04Z

This one is goin out to my favorite punk rock girl!!

Happy Birthday Mishy!!!!

2008-03-24T21:24:57Z

This one is goin out to your lil punk self.....

Baltimore Pirate Invasion Updates

2008-03-17T21:25:41Z

(x - posted)

The Baltimore Pyrate Invasion website is FINALLY updated!

www.baltimorepyrateinvasion.com

Please refer back to it often, as it is only a month away and there are new developments that will be happening and added to the site throughout the next month.

Please check out the events during Privateer Day - some neat stuff, especially at 4:30~ This area will definately be expanded upon as details are fine-tuned.

Don't forget to pre-register!! Details can be found under Pyrate Invasion. This will get you a souvenier pin as well as a map of taverns.

Scope out the Pub discounts - a lot of new things being offered, including food discounts and cider! This area will be updated as more info is made available. These discounts are only available to those who have registered.

SPREAD THE WORD - Feel free to cross-post or paste into your affilated blogs and forums.

Fells Point Irish Pub gets recognition!

2008-03-12T07:46:49Z

Wow - way to go Cat's Eye Pub!!! They made it onto MSN's list of America's Most Authentic Irish Pubs, to which only 6 in the nation got recognition! VERY COOL.

This is an awesome lil place. I know I love it. Be sure to stop by there and check it out during the Pyrate Invasion in April (yeah, shameless lil plug).

Shoes!!!!

2008-02-21T15:30:06Z

I can so identify. This cracked me up. (warning for those at the office: Keep volumen discrete. Cursing).

Big BIG Breaking news....

2008-02-14T15:38:26Z

OK I am letting the cat out of the bag, and hopefully not too prematurely.

I was going to try to hold out on this announcement for at least another two weeks, but as it has been pointed out to me it is becoming one of the worst-kept secrets......(and for the most part, I am the culprit!) So here goes...... drumroll please....

I AM PREGNANT AGAIN!

yeah, shocker! We wanted a second baby, but I must admit this one took me by surprise.

This is about a year sooner than what we had hoped. I see my DR next week to get dated and all, but by my estimate I am 8 weeks along and my due date is around Adventurers/Pirate Weekend at faire. Fitting, eh? ANNNDDD another Baltimore Pyrate Invasion with a baby bump. Timing is just amazing (snicker).

Two kids, two years apart, both in diapers at the same time. The fun never ends....

UPDATE: As it was pointed out to me by a super snazzy gal, this is going to be one economical baby... I still have all my baby stuff, maternity clothes, etc. In fact, you know your babies are close in age when you still have your maternity clothes that are not only the right season but still considered fashionable AND you still have your prenatal vitamins and they have not expired.....

Baltimore Pyrate Invasion IV

2008-01-25T13:49:00Z

(cross posted)

Ahoy you bloody lot. Hoist the Jolly Rogers to the top of the main mast to spread the word about the 4th Annual Baltimore Pirate Invasion and Privateer Day. This year's Invasion will be Saturday the 19th of April 1808. It looks to be a full day of pillaging in the streets and a night of plundering to local public houses.

Again this year just as in years past we be telling you scurvy Bilge Rats to leave your pistols and sword at home. NO WEAPONS!

The rumors on the air at this time say there will be some tall ships in harbor for you to enjoy as well. There will be Vendors and some shanty singers singing in the square and a costume contest again this year so be sure to wear your best going-a-shore rig this year.

As more information comes in we will be sure to keep you wenches and pirates up to date.

Till then,
Fair winds

http://www.fellspointdevelopment.com/

(note: BPI website is not updated for this year’s event info at this point in time – www.baltimorepyrateinvaision.com )

a light dusting....

2008-01-22T18:06:02Z

Doing a light bit o' housekeeping on my friends list. I sorted out those accounts that rarely post or ones that I really don't know or have much in common with.

And, for the record, YES the majority of my entries are limited to friends only.

So, if I accidentally dusted you away, or if you stumble across this LJ in the future and actually KNOW ME and I KNOW WHO YOU ARE and would like to be added, please reply to this post and give a gal a heads up first.

Enjoy the rest of your day ~~~~ dusting feverishly~~~~

Too cute not to share

2008-01-17T23:03:43Z

This put a smile on my face.. hope it does to you, too!

Pregnant Jamie Lynn Speaks Out

2008-01-04T17:18:16Z

(a few days belated...)

2007-12-31T01:22:01Z

Welcome Tara Elyse Herst!!!

http://www.our365.com/WebNursery/WebNursery/Baby/BabyPage.aspx?birthid=0&babyid=0

If anyone out there likes running....

2007-11-15T19:25:44Z

Hello Baltimore Runners!

The First Annual Great Fells Point Figgy Pudding 5k FunRun is happening on
December 8th, 2007. This fantastic run takes you through historic Fells
Point, along the promenade and down the paved streets lined with some of the
oldest buildings and best views in Baltimore. Runners receive a Great Fells
Point Figgy Pudding Run tee shirt and a pint of Guinness at Slainte Irish
Pub after the run. Stick around afterwards for Fells Point Olde Tyme
Christmas activities all day long!

Register online at: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1493209

All proceeds will benefit the Fells Point Development Corporation, the
neighborhood's non-profit Main Streets program.

Help a sistah out???

2007-10-29T13:44:30Z

My sister entered a photo she took of my nephew (her son) on his first day of school, titled "the journey begins..."

help her win!!! Click to vote!!! http://www.picture.com/voteforme/photovote1.asp?PID=2403038

Leonard Nimoy sings Bilbo Baggins

2007-09-05T23:20:43Z

This is just disturbing.

Vinyl Bibs Recall Alert

2007-08-16T15:24:45Z

Alert to the mommies of the younger kids out there...

Vinyl bibs have just been added to the lead recall alerts. This article specifically notes ones sold in Maryland at Toys R Us (which is the same ownership as babies R Us). Walmart may also be a concern.

Brand names: Koala kids and Especially for Baby

Aidan has tons of these. The lead may not be too dangerous at first, but once they get worn.....like Aidan's.....

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/15/business/bib.php (I only skimmed the article, panicked, and now posting. I will read further in a few moments. So if I am missing something key, apologies...)

His are going in the trash today. He has his 12 month shots next week, and the receptionist at the DR's office did suggest I bring this up to his DR at that time *just in case* he has been exposed.

invisible crabs

2007-07-18T17:43:55Z

This is just tooo funny! Baby, beach, eating sand and the search for the invisible crab!

blenderwench @ 2007-05-31T11:37:00

2007-05-31T15:38:10Z

majorchaos dear, I hope you have a wonderful day. CHEERS.

blenderwench @ 2007-05-31T09:21:00

2007-05-31T13:23:14Z

Hey Ms. Marty Mart. Smarty Marty Pants. The elite queen of Essex Ms. madam_macaw .... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Pyrate Invasion in the Baltimore Sun

2007-04-30T11:53:44Z

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.pirate29apr29,0,3127683.story?coll=bal-local-baltimorecity

PSA....

2007-04-27T15:39:50Z

Candace from Blackmore's Night will be at the PA Fairie Festival on Sunday, May 6th.

www.fairiefestival.net