DAY 22 ~ BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!

My dear friend Sally found this picture from about 7+ years ago, of us at our first (and only) Ladies Dinner at work - for all of our female patients and residents. In the picture was Sally (far right), myself, Jackie and Dolly - we all worked to put on a great event. It was SO MUCH fun! What a wonderful memory. Since I posted a couple of days ago, there have been some ups and downs. I went for my annual check up and was happy to find out that there was a medication that is 100% NON hormonal! It is called Rezlin (I think I spelled that right) and it is for my NUMBER ONE problem - hot flashes! I'm happy to say that as of last night, I slept much sounder and didn't wake up nearly as many times that I can recall. VERY THANKFUL! I went for my additional tests today and will see the doctor Wednesday for the results.

Tonight I had one of my FAVORITE salads because I was SO SO hungry following my bike ride...

Did I mention it was almost 10 1/2 miles (dog-gone lightning!) in under an hour?! BOOM! Poor Larry Wayne was SO sad because his bike is still in the shop and so he didn't get to ride. Bahahahahahaha!!!!!

OK back to my favorite salad! In case anyone who reads this would be interested...I call it my Fruity Chicken Salad. I use fresh Romaine and Mixed Green Lettuces from the Farmer's Market; Chicken we baked in the oven; Red Seedless Grapes; Walnuts; Craisins; Feta Cheese; Cucumbers; Tomatoes and 1/4 Gala Apple. I like to chop everything pretty small so that ultimately it results in having some of everything in EVERY single bite!

 

I personally like to layer it and get it nice and pretty!  Then I use, (and would so highly recommend), a combination: Balsamic Vinaigrette and Raspberry Walnut (light) Vinaigrette. The end result is a completely delicious and satisfying dinner that both takes care of a raging appetite, while also kind of satisfying a sweet tooth - of which I've been cursed with my entire life!

And this is the final product! Mmmmmmmm!!!!!

Last but certainly not least, I said I would introduce my mom...well here she is - Sarah Jane! I love her to pieces!! My mom is SO amazingly AWESOME! She is a professional Storyteller and THAT made for an incredible growing up experience! haha! I can remember during Halloween - it was MY MOM who showed up dressed like a witch to scare the crap out of all the kids! In middle school, when I desperately wanted to act like I had no parents...my mom showed up dressed like a Hobo from a Storytelling gig - honking the horn! I was "Ahhhhhh!!!!" and took off running! haha! My mom has this laugh that makes everyone else laugh -- and laughing is my most favorite thing of all. When my dad hiked the Appalachian (that I mentioned on Day 20)...well my mom used that time to actually write her first book "Alabama's Favorite Folk Tales" by: Sarah Jane Tackett. I'm so proud to have her as my mom and I'm SO excited to see them!!!!