Mobile Mammogram September 24, 2009

   CBS Atlanta is proud to be sponsoring an upcoming event that highlights the importance of early detection in fighting breast cancer. In honor of breast cancer awareness month in October, we are partnering with Gwinnett Medical Center to provide low cost mammograms. GMC has what it calls a ‘Care-A-Van’ – a mobile mammography unit that travels to clinics, schools, libraries, and churches to offer the service to women who can’t make it to the mammography clinic. You step inside the van, get a mammogram, and you’re on your way in 30 minutes.

   We are co-hosting two ‘Care-A-Van’ events. The first is October 13th at Gwinnett Center. The mobile mammogram costs 150 dollars and GMC accepts most major insurance plans. You must make an appointment though, and to do that, you need to meet these requirements: You must be 35 or older; have no history of breast cancer, breast surgery in the last two years, or breast implants; and you must have a mammogram order from a Georgia licensed physician. If you meet these requirements, call 678-442-5000 to schedule your mammogram. This information is also on our website www.cbsatlanta.com – click on breast cancer under the health tab.

Survivor: Etowah River September 10, 2009

  We survived the camping trip! And between you and me, it was pretty fun. The campground was packed and it wasn’t quite as secluded as we would have liked, but it was nice. Our Saturday started early as we packed up two cars with everything three people and two dogs would need for two and a half days. Then we drove just 45  minutes north of town and were directed to our campiste by the Etowah River. It was shady and grassy (in spots) and not too far from the bathrooms, so we set up camp. The dogs proceeded to turn the campsite into their own personal bathroom, roll in the dirt, eat bugs, and generally enjoy themselves like they are not able to while padding around our home in Alpharetta. It actually became humorous as the 30 foot leads we had them on got tangled up until both of them were an inch away from the tree we’d tied them to. We spent a lot of time untangling. We also spent a lot of time in the water. And despite a dead chicken (not sure how that got there) and people panning for gold (not sure how they got there either) we pretty much had a little stretch of water to ourselves. We cooked all our meals outside and is it just me or does everything taste better when you’re eating outdoors? The bugs were minimal, except when we had on this super powered kerosene lantern my husband picked up that I think is used by NASA to bring in the shuttle. Every flying insect within a 30 mile radius had to visit to see what the heck it was. We played games, I read, my husband fished, and our daughter ate more s’mores than her tummy could hold. Then, she wanted s’more. (sorry, I couldn’t resist) Sure we didn’t sleep great. The tent was hot and dirty after the dogs plopped down in there for the night. The showers served a triple purpose of repulsing us, cleaning us, and acting as dishwasher since I, being environmentally minded, didn’t want to bring any paper products and create more waste. But by Monday morning when we were shoving everything back into our cars, we were dirty, but we were happy, closer as a family, and I found myself smiling on the drive home (albeit with my head out the window because the dogs stunk) thinking my husband was right – it is a great family tradition. One we will continue. Maybe in a cabin next time. Or a Hilton.

Campout! September 2, 2009

   This weekend the Fishers are going camping! Big deal, you say? Well, then you don’t know the Fishers. My husband has got this down. A childhood spent ‘roughing it’ with his brother, sister and parents has prepared him. Lucy and I are another story. We are not what you would call ‘outdoor gals.’ Now, I love a beautiful day on our deck, reading, listening to the wind rustling the leaves, a day spent on the beach, or a nice walk through the park with the dogs – but sleeping outside, on the ground, is not really my thing. Like my good friend Kim says, “I’m outdoorsy in that I like to drink on patios!” But we’re going to try this as a family and honestly, I’m looking forward to it. We’ve got enough camping gear to live in the Appalachians for years, we’re only going about 30 minutes  north of where we live, and I’m sure between us we’ll have three cell phones and an I-Pod touch. So, I’m thinking we’ll survive. My husband says his best memories of childhood are camping with his family. Fishing, exploring the woods, making a fire and burning your s’mores. To see him so excited has gotten us girls in the camping mood. Our daughter’s concerns about bees and snakes evaporated when she and Daddy took the flint into the backyard to make sure it worked and proceeded to burn up piles of leaves.  I think this will be great for her to get away from the TV and video games and commune with nature.  I think it will be great for me to enjoy the calming affect of time spent in the crisp outdoors. As for my husband, he’s getting to pass on a family tradition to his family. I’ll gladly sleep on the ground for that.