February 15, 2008
Today we played Pinochle at Marie's home. Of course she was an excellent hostess. You did a great job Marie. Also Marge you did an excellent job in working the out the rotation for eleven of us. Winners were: 1st place Barbara, 2nd place Helen, 3rd place Annie, Carole had a double pinochle, and cow's tail went to Marge who was last but won a nice booby prize of crocus bulbs. Thank you Marie for your southern hospitality.

I might cancel Dade City trip since it is turning out that many can not go next Friday or reshedule it for Feb. 29th. I will let you know.
Lois

February 9, 2008
Yesterday we celebrated Chinese New Year at my house. I am taking the concept from Zee's DH and listing Lesson Learned from that event: Even if you think you have every detailed planned and are sitting down with a coke and book one hour prior to your friends arrival, **** happens. Check the calendar for any religious dietarty restrictions if you are planning lunch near lent. I am a better cook for 6 people than 12. Review your recipe even if you have made cashew chicken and beef and tomato 100 times, so you won't forget the cashews and celery or the fried rice noodles or other important ingredients. Always have shrimp in the freezer. Hot soup can melt red plastic bowls. Rely on friends for last minute help. Even when things do not go as you plan, you can still have a good time.

I want to thank everyone who helped by loaning table and chairs, pots and pans, bamboo and candles and tofu and shrimp. Also thanks to Jack Brand for making the rice and Barb for bring rice pudding. It really does take a village to celebrate Chinese New Year. I had fun. I hope you did too.

Hope to see everyone in Dade City.

February 1, 2008
We surprised Jeanette, our queen, at Argentos and celebrated her birthday a few days early. I enjoyed it and hoped everyone else did. It was like having our own private room without a $300 room fee. The cake was outstanding and I do not like bakery cake.
Afterwards Judy Wilkins helped us with shell crafts. Again we had a variety of items decorated with shells. Dee covered a mirror, Marie a vase, Ann a flower pot and Zee made shell angel's to name a few things.
The Rose Buddies had fun again as usual.

January 18, 2008
Today Dee had us in her home for pinochle. There were 10 of us present so we had 2 tables of three and 1 table with four. We did not keep score today but I did have another double pinochle!
Thanks Dee for hosting. You always do such a good job. Loved the ice cream and all the treats.
Prior to the game Dee made out a new schedule for the coming months and will send out a reminder to all of us. Carole and Jeanette were not present and August and November months are up for grabs.

On January 11, 2008 ten of us went to the Salvadori Dali Museum in St Petersberg. Sara was our hostess and earned her Queen for a Day badge. It was a wonderful day and Sara did a great job. We probably learned more than we needed to know about Dali and I am so glad that we had the docent to explain his work. We had lunch at Cafe Alma's and I did not hear any complaints. Wasn't the dessert idea of "just a bite" a novel and fun idea? Just a bite of mousse or coconut cream and I forget the other item in the small glasses to finish off the meal. Thanks to Marge and Zee for driving and Sara for hosting such a great day.
I was glad that I had the coupons for admission. Please remember to ask Jeanette or I for coupons if you are going to something else in or out of the area. The coupons are from the Entertainment Book from the purple perks card. There are many different coupons but usually only one per place. I would rather use them than loose them. We took $40 off our bill by using the coupons for admission plus $25 off of purchases and weren't the women just wonderful about giving us the discounts.They seemed very happy to do it and the woman at the admission desk was very concerned that I got my $90 back from everyone and I assurred her that everyone paid me.
Nothing else is planned for January but you might get an e-mail from me or Jeanette about a movie at the end of the month.
Tomorrow Jeanette, Judy, a vice queen from the first group I was in and a friend of our chapter, are going to Mt. Dora to meet 20 other queens that I have meet on line at the RHS web site. It will be the first play date of Queens at Play. The idea of QAP is to prevay (a word I made up from survey and preview)an area and see if I think it might be fun place for us to go at a later date.

January 4, 2008
Today we met in the Magnolia room and made repositional hats from felt which we can put on our clothing. The project was fun and turned out nicely. We also figured out how to make the woman with clothes which could be changed liked paper dolls.
We all had lunch at Chilli's prior to the craft.Ten Rosebuds were present.

December 16, 2007
Thirteen of us had a wonderful brunch at Helen's home. She is a great cook and really out did herself. Since several had to leave early we did not keep score. Thank you Helen. We all had a great time.

December 11, 2007
Hello Rosies,
By the looks of all our smiling faces in the pictures, I think it is safe to say we had a wonderful time on the cruise. I got to know some of my sisters better. Annie turned out to be a great ship mate. She went to bed late, I got up early so neither of us were in each others way. Since this cruise was a Mah Jongg cruise and there were neighbors and villages together, my only complaint was that we as Rosebuds were not all together as a group. I did not get to see some of you as much as I hoped. I also did not get to play as many games with you as I hoped. We will just have to do it again as a group but maybe not in December the next time. I don't know about the rest of you but I feel a little stressed out. I left early Saturday and met my son and his family in Orlando and came home Monday. I am picking up Don's sister tomorrow. She will stay 2 weeks. If anyone wants to go somewhere or get together for games give me a call. I am ready. BTW, I love the video of the Wisteria Lane (Vista Royal Ln.) gals dancing the night away.
See everyone on Fridays. Say prayers for Mary that she can join us for some of the party.

November 28, 2007
Hello Rosies,
I hope all your bags are packed and you are ready to leave for the cruise on Monday. Remember to pack a purple top or red top for our special Rosebud picture. We are going to have a great time! See you Monday morning at 8:00 am at the bus.

I hope everyone has found my blog. Remember I want to give out free advise like Dear Abby, so ask away.
http://www.qmb2.com/queenrosemum

November 21, 2002
Hello Rosies,
I told all of you at the party that I started another red hat chapter called Queens at Play. This is a chapter of one. When you are a queen of a chapter the RHS gives you a Purple Perks card. With this card you can go on the RHS web page to their Queen Mother Board (QMB). Once there you can play, talk, and meet other red hatters all over the world. I have also joined 2 virtual chapters from the QMB and am enjoying them very much,especially my Friendship Rose Chapter. Since I am no longer Queen of the Rosebuds, Jeanette gets the Purple Perks card this year. So now you know the reason I started Queens at Play, so I can get a Purple Perks card and continue on the QMB as I have done this past year. My first outing is to Mt. Dora to meet up with other QMB women and celebrate one member's birthday. I want to keep the play group small so I am only asking a few queens to join me monthly and I will not ask the same queens each month. I will be putting my play dates on the calendar, so I hope this doesn't confuse you. If you see an event that you would really like to do, just let me know. I can always bring a friend of the chapter, after all I'm the queen!

November 16,2007
Today we enjoyed playing Pinochle at Marie's home. My did she put on a spread!! We ate and talked more than we played. Todays winners were: First place: Dee, Second place: Lois, Third Place: Jeanette, and Last place: Helen. It was good seeing Helen again. She just did not get any good hands today.
Thanks Marie for hosting a good game day.

November 9, 2007
We celebrated our first Rosebud anniversary in the Magnolia Room at Heritage Pines. All 14 members attended, plus Kylee who cried and begged her mom to let her skip school to attend. Kylee said, "Afterall I am practicly their mascot. I have to go with Grammy." I think we had a wonderful day, full of good food, lots of laughs and of course CAKE. The entertainment was all that I hoped it would be with our No Talent or Useless Talent Show. No one was gonged off the stage. Carole I have to say I laughed the most from your talent. You play a mean comb and have come a long way from a shy minister's daughter.
I want to thank each Rosebud for making our first year fantastic!! I am looking forward to another great year under Jeanette's reign.

October29, 2007
I read this on the QMB and thought it was cute: I believe that you should live your life in a way that you would not be afraid to sell your parrot to the town gossip.

October 17, 2007
Six of us played pinochle at Annie's home. Winners were: First Dee, Second Annie and Sara and Third Marge. Lois was the cow's tail coming in last. Sara is a new player and did well. Ann is a new player and came last month and did well also. We need more players if you know someone who is interested since Jackie is hoping to move and Helen is working. Thanks for hosting Annie. Everything was delicious!

October 12, 2007
Ten of us went to Inverness today and had a great time. Thank you Claudell for being Queen for a Day. Good job.
Thanks Jeanette for posting the pictures so quickly.

Shopping Absurdisims and other things overheard today: Small things amuse small minds. I laugh like I have good sense. Half price is nice but if it's free, it's for me! It doesn't matter if it fits if the color is right. If the shoe doesn't fit, we can make it fit. I never met a pair of shoes and the purse that goes with them that I did not like. I need to get ear rings now. I break for consignment shops. Everything looks better if it sparkles. Glitz it, we will buy it! If it is too expensive, we can make it for twice as much. I have the bar on my mind, living at Heritage Pines. I suffer from Booty Doo. My belly sticks out more than my Booty Doo.

Lastly Marie's real name is Sophia but the boys would call her Soapdish so she changed her name to Marie. Then she was call Skinny Minnie and Long Tall Sally. The ones riding in Zee's car now realize why Marie and Jeanette can not ride together unless they pass out Depends for the rest of the passengers in the car.

October 5, 2007
Eleven of us had a wonderful time decorating our pumpkins as red hat ladies. Each pumpkin was as unique as our different personalities. No one could complain that anyone copied from another. My friend Susan had a very hard time deciding which pumpkins were the most creative but Jeanette's Mabelline, a slightly tipsy red hat pumpkin and Claudell's Tuluha, a red hat tranvestite were the winners. Thanks to everyone for doing such a good job.

Some of us had Cuban food for lunch prior to meeting at the club house. Unfortunately most did not enjoy the food but the desserts were grand.

October 1, 2007
Eight of us went to Webster Flea Market today. It was a very pleasant drive among the farming and cattle county north of Brooksville. The flea market was huge and we did not get to finish it all before people were packing up and going home. Everyone found something. I bought the red hat items I went for, Jeanette bought jewelry and Marie perfume just to name a few things. We had a good lunch at the Speckled Butter Bean Restaurant. It was down home southern cooking with okra, tomato puddin, and collards. Marie and I enjoyed it the most. Some of the city slickers were not as impressed as Marie and I about the food although there were other choices on the menu. I would like to go back again.

September 21, 2007
Thanks Barbara for hosting pinochle today. As usual you out did yourself. The winners were: Frist Place, Jeanette, Second Place, Lois, Third Place, Marie, Booby Prize went to Ann. Thanks Ann for playing today. You have good card sense and did well.

September 14, 2007
Ten Rosebuds had a wonderful time at Carole's home for themed lunch exchange, pool party and games. Everyone enjoyed the lunch exchange and felt we should do it again. We had such a variety from a school lunch box to French Champagne. The desserts were good too, even the dirt and worms! Thank you Carole for hosting and everyone for participating.

I am going to review some of the things that was decided at the gathering:

Christmas party will be December 14, 2007 with Claudell and Marie hosting. It is going to be a progressive party starting in the morning and ending up at Claudell's home for gift exchange. WE WILL PARTY ALL DAY!! More info to follow.

Donation of $25 each will be taken from the treasury in memory of Zee's and Mary's mothers. Each member who want to contribute more may give Zee $5 donation. Zee will take care of sending the donations out for us.

EVERYONE IS GOING ON THE CRUISE!!!!! I am so excited. There will be 2 days of cruising. One day will be the Mah Jongg tournament. On the other cruise day we will meet up for fun and games. It was decided not to wear RH regalia but to bring a red bow or visor for pictures as a group.

Rosebud painted glasses were givien out that Jeanette did for members who were not at the craft scession.I think there were 2 left over, so please tell me if you did not get yours. Remember to pay Jeanette and Marge $1.00 for supplies.

I reminded everyone about our Rosebud birthday party in November. We have the Magnolia room at HP for lunch and our talent show. Start thinking about what you are going to do ladies. It can be a usuless talent or a real talent. Some of you might want to get together and do a skit, read a poem, or roast a member. This is going to be our entertainment, so I want to laugh. Maybe we can play a game MAKE ME LAUGH.

Also I want you to think about who you want to be your reigning queen next year. We will also change "jobs" so think about what you are willing to do for the group. Some "jobs" take more time and talent than other jobs.

Our next gathering is a pumpkin decorating contest at HP craft room October 5, 2007. Everyone bring your own pumpkin (real or not) and decorations to make it a Red Hat Lady. I will bring paint incase you want to paint on eyes and lips ect. I will have someone judge best of the show. We will do lunch first at the Cuban place on SR 41. I will send info out later.

I hope I remembered everything.

August 30, 2007
Jeanette and I would like feedback regarding the newsletter and various articles we do. Are you enjoying the newsletter? Are you finding the info you need? Have you learned to navigate the pages? Is there anyone who could help with the pictures? Is there too much stuff? Are you reading it?

Jeanette and I saw a great movie about Jane Austin called, "Becoming Jane". We both enjoyed it very much.

Jeanette painted glasses for those who were away and unable to come to the one stroke painting craft. The cost for the glass is $2. One dollar goes to Marge for the glass and one dollar to Jeanette for the paint. I will bring them to Carole's pool party.

Jeanette wanted me to tell everyone that she has completed one scrapbook and will bring it to the next gathering. Also since she will be in PA for her HS reunion and unable to attend the pool party, someone needs to volunteer to take pictures of the party.

I sent everyone info about the Mah Jongg Cruise. So far I have Carole, Mary, Barb, Sadie, Ann and myself going for ceertain. Jeanette and Dee are maybes. Zee is talking with Marie and Claudell who are away. Let's PARTY!

August 24, 2007
Annie hosted game day in her home. I am sorry I missed it Annie. I heard you out did yourself with all the food, games and two desserts! Those attending were Annie, Carole, Marge, Jeanette, Zee, Mary, Ann and Sara. Thank you Annie for showing everyone a good time.

August 3, 2007
We had a good turn out for craft day with 10 Rosebuds present. One stroke rosebuds are difficult but I think we were all happy with the results. Jeanette is going to paint a glass for those not present. Thank you Jeanette for teaching us. Thank you Marge for the idea and buying the glasses.
I will check with our activities director to see if HP is going to Hard Rock this month and get back to everyone. We will do an activity this month either BINGO, Bowling or something. I am going to be out of town Aug. 25- Sept. 1, 2007. I have not decided going to LI on Aug21 and leaving for Colorado from there. I want to thank my secret sister for the lovely rosebud picture frame. I am going to paint a rose to put in it. My secret sister has such good taste. Thanks again.

August 1, 2007
Please click on the Red Hat Society link on our Home Page. There are a few pages on the web site you will not be able to open without a purple perks card but there is much information that you will be able to view. I do not pass all the info about upcoming national and state events because I do not want to take time away from our activities. You are encouraged to view the info yourself and are welcome to go to any of the activities listed even if I am not interested in going. If you see something that you think would be good for the Rosebuds to attend, please bring it to my attention.

July20,2007
Marge, Jeanette, Sara, and I went to Old Time Pottery today. So sorry so many missed a good time. We had a "first" today. It was the first time we stopped at 3 eating places on one outting! First I remembered Krispy Kream on SR60 and we stopped for coffee and doughnuts. Next we shopped at the pottery place. We each bought a variety of things, including some nice wine glasses for us to paint on the next craft day. Luckily we were able to get everything in Marge's trunk. Sonny's was across the street so we had barbecue for lunch. Marge drove a different way home. On SR54 I spied a Village Inn and instructed Marge to take a quick right turn for pie. The good thing is the Village Inn serves half slices of pie! That meant we could have 2 pieces instead of one!We sang Happy Birthday to Marge. The drive was great, we laghed, played games and told jokes. It was a great day! Thanks to Marge for driving and Jeanetee for hostessing.

July 13, 2007
Pinochle wat at Lois' home. Winners in Pinochle: First place Dee. Second place Jeanette. Third place Jackie. Booby prize went to Carole. No one had double pinochle today.

June 27, 2007
Dear Rosies,
Today was a HOOT. Thank you very much for taking me to lunch at HOOTERS. I think the waitresses were very attentive and friendly. It took alot for me to wear my crown that Jeanette made in there but I did it! A few years ago I wasn't able to wear a hat. Look at me now! Also thanks for all the presents and cards. I was expecting a "roast" with gag gifts but you all gave me really nice things. You Rosebuds are the best.
Red Hat Hugs and Kisses,
Lois

June 23, 2007
Thanks Dee for having us in your home for Pinochle. Even though this is not RH, I am putting info here until I get complaints. Winners in Pinochle: First place Dee, Second place Helen, Third place Annie, Double Pinochle Lois, Booby prize Jeanette.

June 15, 2007
Dear Rosies,
Did we have a good pool party or what? Thank you Zee for having us in your home. You are a great hostess. It was a very relaxing and fun day with lots of laughs.The cake and presents were a SURPRISE. It wasn't even close to my birthday. Thank you all. I am sure I will enjoy the Suduko game and I like the idea that I can always have it with me in my purse.

Sara, thanks for reminding me about your Show and Tell and your 5 minutes of fame. I am sorry we didn't do it while everyone was present. I did not write up an agenda and just forgot. I didn't know we had a doctor in our group. Do you make house calls? Enjoyed getting to know more about you today.

Boy, do we have some good cooks in our group. Thanks to everyone for contributing to the party. Remember if you have a favorite recipe that you make for a party and want to share it with everyone, please send it to me.

It was good that Carol and Janet stopped by today. Janet really looked good and is happy to be closer to her daughter.

So sorry Marie could not be with us today. Christine will take a sympathy card over to Zee, so Zee can send a note from all of us to Marie and tell her about our donation to the MS foundation.

Annie, you are going to be our official "Griller". You do a good job taking orders and making those hamburgers, just right. Thank you.

I really enjoyed our "CHICK CHAT" around the table. What a great day!! I have the best bunch of ROSEBUDS. Sherry's loss. For those of you going up north or hither and yon have a safe and fun vacation. We will miss you.

Love, Rose Mum

June 10, 2007
I want to thank Jeanette and all the ladies who attended the craft day and the egg shell mosaics. Thanks also to Marie for donating the cigar boxes.We all showed our individuallity with different ways to paint a cigar box. Each was unique. Jeanette, you showed your tough, no nonsense teacher side and we showed our kid side by talking and not paying attention. Fun was had by all.

Love, Rose Mum

June 6, 2007
Dear Rosies,
I would like to comment on my links at the bottom of my home page:

Jan Hall Designs made the Rosebud pin that some of us wear. I like it because it has my name on it.

Andy Andrews is my favorite speaker and author right now.

Joan's Hooked On Earrings is the wonderful lady who judged our lampshade hats and sold the red hat merchandise.

Michael Isaacs is my ex husband and his site often has great pictures of my sons and grandsons. Also there is a picture of me with black hair. That was my natural color!

Anton Krajnc is truely a world master in art. I predict that his art will be ranked in the same catagory as Monet and Van Gough in the future.

Lori's Gallery is a beautiful place to look at spiritual art. Lori's art is on display at the Colorado Springs Airport and I fell in love with it.

Love, Rose Mum

June 8, 2007
Dear Rosies,
I had a very good time at Marges today. As usual she was a great hostess. Thank you Marge for being Queen for a Day.

Learned a new game: Phase 10, which was challenging and fun. You can be winning one minute and lose the next. Would like to play it again sometime.

Really enjoyed the Red Hat movie. Driving home someone in our car said the movie made them feel more of a part of the red hat society. I think you could feel the spirit of the RHS in the movie. It is amazing how big the RHS has become in such a short time. They are on the NY stock exchange!!

Jeanette, we all enjoyed your, "I'm a Little Teapot" song. Life is just going too fast for you to keep up with everthing you are trying to do. We love you anyway. So what, if you thought today was pinochle and not red hat and wore yellow. Last week I told Sara, our newest sister, "This is how we dress during our birthday month," and I was wearing red with a red hat not purple one. NOT.

Also loved the new ideas for next year--a little bit of everything from a drum circle, deep sea fishing, line dancing to golf scramble. LET'S DO IT ALL.

I forgot to tell you that next Saturday June 16th I am doing a health fair at the Hindu Temple in Tampa. I will be doing Osteoporosis screening and self breast exam teaching.It's free! Plus we will have a blood screening station and a lot more. They have great veggie food for sale for lunch. Come by and see me. Call me if you need directions.

Love, Rose Mum