How did that time pass so fast. Here it is Christmas Eve & if it weren't for the frigid cold weather & icey streets I wouldn't believe that winter is already here. We've had quite an ice storm for the past few days & expecting more to come. I had a treacherous drive to the hospital (only 4miles away) for my final surgery for breast reconstruction on Friday. The surgeon said all went well. He took the bandages off yesterday. Now I don't need to go out in the cold . I can stay in & look out the windows at the ice & snow. I don't think I will build a snowlady like I did last year. I think I'll stick to indoor activities. I want to thank all my Red Hat Sisters for all of your prayers & encouragement this past year. I'm looking forward to a great 2009. I hope to see many of you at convention in Texas. L.U.L.A.S. & (((HUGS))) LouAnn

Summer is almost over. (officially Sept. 21). Being in the Midwest U.S. I am cherishing the short time left of warm weather. I know Fall is always a beautiful season around here but I'm not ready to let go of summer just yet. I have healed well from my mastectomy 6/26 & I changed my original plans & had breast reconstructive surgery on 8/29. I am sore & tired but content with my decision. Now I will have saline injected into the pouches that were surgically implanted. Saline will be injected approx. every week until they reach a comfortable size. I am happily anticipating my "new look".  Has anyone had experience with this procedure?

I survived Decades Of Sparkle. It was wonderful! I danced my petooi off. Not really. I still have it, but I sure did dance every chance I got. I met QMBers that I had met before at other conventions & some that I had never met before. Everyone was wonderful. I came home Tues. night, the 24th. On Thurs. the 26th I had a bilateral mastectomy. I came home from the hospital Sat. evening, the 28th. The surgery seems to have went well. I am so grateful that many women shared thier experiences with me so I was prepared . Now I am enjoying the memories of convention by looking through the pictures that I took & the ones posted on QMB. I will try to post some of mine here.

Here is my Red Hat snow lady in various stages of development. She was 5' tall. It took me over 4 hours to construct her. The next day the temp. rose. It rained & she melted. Oh well. It was something I wanted to do for several years & I finally got the opportunity. That is our dog, Gulliver sitting next to her.      Now I am ready for Spring to arrive.

Yes, I finally did it!! I finished making my bra-hat & I posted pictures of it in both the rough draft stage & finished.See my gallery. I also have pictures of the Red Hat Snow-lady that I made.