Saturday, August 29, 2009

I did get the corrected release to return to work faxed to me. I forwarded it to HR. Let's hope that's all I need.

I made 10 lbs of potato salad this morning for the VFW picnic. It's my mother's recipe and is a variation of german potato salad. BDHA calls it potatoes in a bacon grease dressing. It's served warm to room temperature. It's pretty good as long as you don't eat too much of it. I'm sure your heart is protesting every bite while your tastebuds are loving it.

I'm also making dinner tomorrow night. A mexican dish from Rick Bayless's cookbook, MEXICAN KITCHEN. The dish is called Smoky Shredded Chicken and Potatoes with Roasted Tomatoes. I've decided it's my turn to cook since BDHA has been doing it all for the past year. He left on a trip this morning and will return tomorrow afternoon. This dish is better when the ingredients have a chance to meld so I may make it tonight and reheat tomorrow. When I have an interest in cooking, I must be better!

If I have the energy I would also like to make some cookies tomorrow. The recipe makes about 5 dozen Oatmeal/Chocolate Chip cookies. I'd like to take some in to Dr. L's office on Monday for my appointment. I have an appointment on September 28th to get fitted for my prosthesis, bras and camisoles.

One of the questions that I want to ask Dr. L is when do you start counting yourself as a cancer survivor? Does it start the day you find out you have cancer (you've survived since then) or when you have the surgery to remove the cancer? I've read it both ways. My 1-year anniversary of finding the lump is 9/23. So am I a 1-year survivor on that date or on 7/20/2010 which would be 1 year since my surgery? The goal is to make it 5 years without it coming back. Your chances of being cancer-free the rest of your life would be pretty good.

One of my fitness goals is to get comfortable riding a bicycle. I used to have one that BDHA gave me for Christmas when we lived in Kingsville, TX. MFS was in "Sound of Music" at OLSH during his sophomore year and they used the bike as a prop. The musical was held at Robert Morris' theater as OLSH was being renovated. I never did get the bike back along with a few other props so I'm in need of one. I saw one I really liked, a Schwinn. It's pink and is called Roxie. Target has it in stock. I stopped at the Schwinn dealer in Coraopolis today and asked if he had the bike or could get it. He said he was no longer a Schwinn dealer and the sign was coming down soon. BDHA, I tried to shop local! Really!

The bikes he carries now are fairly expensive, in the $300-$400 range for serious bike riders. The Roxie is $150.00. If I could do it, I'd like to ride the bike on the Montour Trail with Mr. Whacko on a leash. I would have to be pretty comfortable in riding a bike before I could handle both the bike and the dog. I could wear him out on the days BDHA was out of town and couldn't take him on a walk.

Well, it's time to feed Mr. Whacko. He's been pretty patient with me. That's because I bought him a new chew toy today. Gumby! Then I think I might go to 4th Avenue Grill for an appetizer in place of dinner. MFD works there once in a while to help out. She's there tonight. They have these handmade potato chips. They're really good but the cook hates to make them. I warned her to warn him.

Go STEELERS!

-Suesan