Plant those lemon seeds!

There is that old saying, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."  After my initial cancer operation, I personalized that saying to fit my situation, "When life hands you lemons, make lemon meringue pie."

I took inventory of my recreational / social life, and make adjustments.  I was accustomed to the outdoor life:  long walks on the beach, long hikes, swimming in the community pool, water skiing.  I was forced to make a drastic change, but instead of being gloomy, I opened up my life for new opportunities. I was working in the corporate world at the time.  I focused my energies on creating education packages for new employees.  

Then in 2004 I became ill again.  This time my motto became "When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemon Chicken."  Again, I re-invented "the wheel" by focusing on creating healthy recipes.    With the assistance of a pain management specialist, I began using light weights until I could lift 30 pounds.  This process took four years.

I adjusted to my "new life"  which included adopting a marvelous chihuahua, Rocky Balboa, in April 2009.  Seeing life from the viewpoint of a dog gave my life new meaning.  I looked forward to daily power walks with my ferocious furry friend.  Eventually, I was physically able to rejoin a gym.

I looked great.  My hair was finally growing back.  Life was full of fun surprises.  I even started dating again, until my December 2011 mastectomy.  The post-operative side effects lingered; it was intolerable.  I could barely walk, sleep or eat.  The doctors didn't know how "to put me back together."  I was recommended for permanent disability, and the Social Security physician suggested I look within for unique opportunities.  

Now that my body is starting to stabilize, I have the clarify of mind to think.  Last month, I awoke thinking "I can create my own pirate hat for the upcoming festival."  After several trips to the craft store and local antique shops, not to mention my collection of "odds and ends" in my "treasure chest junk box", I was able to create my ideal pirate hat.  It took almost three weeks to complete this worthwhile project.  

A new creative side of me had opened up.  I had the urge to create more hats.  In 2000 after I completed my last round of radiation, I purchased a pink cowgirl hat.  I never wore it, and it was literally collecting cobwebs in the spare closet.  I dusted it off, looked in my "junk box", visited the antique store, and created the Cowgirl Ropes Cancer hat. 

Earlier this year I joined the Red Hat Society.  At one event everybody was wearing very glamorous hats.  I decided I would create my own style.  Here is my first attempt. 

I am attending a black tie event in a few months.  The hat theme is black and white hats.  I created a Phantom of the Opera theme which includes a white mask with imitation pearls and silk roses.  

I converted a drab sun hat into a more elegant one with a butterfly theme. 

Friends and family members encourage me to start my own hat fashion line.  I am grateful for the opportunities that have unfolded before me.  Recovering from a very serious, complicated operation has provided me with the time to look deep within.  Life is such a miracle with countless blessings.