I was writing yesterday and then I forgot to save. So start again

Now I have to start  all over again.  You know old age can't remember what I was writing about yesterday to put it back on here again.

Now where do I start again.

 Life story coming up here.  Well maybe not just a little to get a jest of what I am talking about.

I can say at the beginning here red hats to the rescue.

You see all my life I have been a bit of a loaner.  I did have few fiends but once I hit on marriage at 18 they seemed to have petered away.  We moved around allot for my hubbies job.  So never got to stay in one place more then a year or two.  My social graces where not very good.  I have a disease called foot in mouth.  So I may get to know someone and then I put my foot way down my throat and say someing so stupid that they do not want to go out with me anymore.  So the loaner got to be even more of a loaner.  I love my crafts and keep busy with them but they do not get you out talking with other people.  Social surroundings for me where just family.

So a shel started forming around me.  Boy did it get thick.  I had trouble talking with people and still do.  Someone says hi how are you and I say I am doing just fine and leave it at that.  Talking on the phone or face to face was such a chore for me.  You know I can type on here for hours to someone but to have a face to face that is difficult. In my fourties I had started figuring I should do something about this shell.  I need people a round to talk to or at least get to know a little.  Or I am going to be a lonely old women in a house without anyone to talk to.

I tried going to bowling and choirs or volunteering or book club  It just did not seem to cut it.  They had all been there awhile and did not seem to want to let anyone else into their circles.  So I again sat at home.

Now I hit on fifty and still not many people to talk to.  We have been living in the same place for ten years now and still no one.  Gaul what should I do.  Going shopping just makes it so I have more junk in the house.  Swimming great exercise but does not meet anyone.  Those ten cats are looking better to me all the time.  A lonely old women in the house with her ten cats.  I almost started that I have two dogs right now.  Thank goodness hubby said no more.

When I was still a little whelp I use to take moms jewelry and then take old cloths a dress up as beautifully as I could then pretend I was out someplace having a ball.  Could something ever happen like that again in my life or am I destined to dull nothingness.

A few years ago I was diagnosed with having something called Sjögren's syndrome.  It is an autoammune disease that start attacking the soft body tissue.  No tear ducs no spit and my skin in just so dry.  It will also start attacking organs in my body.  The a. Couple years latter I was told that on top of that I have austeo arthritis is my back and legs.  Now this past two years have been told that fibromyalgia has decided to take refuge in my body as well.  Great I will be stuck in this house forever not being able to do anything and have no one to talk to.  Is this my future.  Well no not if I can help it.  I have the pain.  I have the problems but I am trying not to let it get me down.

So now I say I have to do something about this or I will see that future.  Got to get back out break out of this shell and start seeing people.  Okay how do I do that.  About a week later I see an add in the paper for a social club.  The red hat society is having a new group start up in my little town and and wondering whether there are any takers.  So I said what the hey.  Do not know what the red hat society is but it wouldn't hurt to check it out.

I write to the email and you know she got back to me right away.  Said they were going out for dinner and a movie next week would I like to join them.  My problem is I had to work but could get to the movie afterwards.  Great meet you there.  One stipulation.  You should wear a red ant and maybe something purple. Mouth shopping for a red hat.  Hate wearing hats period.  Will I like this?  Well let's see.

So that night I drove from work my heart beating a mile a minute.  Will I see them or will I be going to a movie by myself.  Well it was something I would like to see anyways..  Mush.  Not shootem up blood and guts my son and hubby like to watch.  So if do not see anyone will see a movie on my own.  So I sat and in the movie theatre and there are three ladies come in with red hats on.  They walk right over to me and greet me with so much joy.  Make me feel welcome.  Aw ladies I can talk with.  Just keep your foot out of your mouth and everything will be alright.  Had a great time that night and the rest is history

I have cracked the shell I am in.  Well it is not all the way opened yet but my wings are peeping out and I am ready to fly.  Is till do not say much but these ladies except me for being the quiet one in the group.

So now I have been a member of the red hat society and have did a little flying on my own. They are callingme a gutsy gal for what I have done.  I have signed up for going to eight funventions.  These are times that allot of red hatters fpget together at a themed event and have a hell of allot of fun.  Yeah I said hell.  I have gone to three of them already.  The first was in Sacramento.  The theme was over the rainbow.  You get to dress up real fine like I did when I was little.  Also can go as far as going in costumes for the event.  I signed up for this event and then wondered should I do this.  Should I not.  Going back and forth on what I should do.  I spent the money so I was going but my mind was telling me that shell is protective.  Stay where you are.  One days couple of weeks before the first event the ambassador queen for the area called me up and said come on over and she would give me an idea of what might be happening at the event.  She was going so would guide me through what I would need to know.  So nice of her.  Gave me a idea and to be traveling with someone was even better.  You know what.  I had a blast and got to meet some more ladies that where traveling at the same time from our area.  My wings are a fluttering.

The next event was in Reno.  I was going by myself.  I had one glitch and that was that my luggage did not make it with me.  It came the next day.  I am dang proud of myself.  I drove down to the airport in the states not far from our home in Canada.  Flew out on my own.  Found the hotel okay and had a wonderful time.  Also met some more ladies down there from my area.  My circle is expanding and those winfpgs are just a fluttering.  Shell has another crack.  Still not broken but is getting bigger.

So I now have lots a friends I converse with on Facebook.  Met them at these funventions.  And am meeting more on Facebook all the time.  They are all looking forward to getting to know me..  Hmm I am a social butterfly.  Well on Facebook anyways.  People to talk to.  Not face to face but on the Internet.  Hmm have I did the right thing.I am on allot on groups through Facebook.  All red hat oriented.

So now come the third event for me.  I go to ferndale in Washington state.  I drive down on my own.  Find my way with only one wrong turn.  Find this casino out in the middle of nowhere. Really? I thought I was lost again.  So check myself in.  Unpack a little the head down to casino as event is not until next day.  Entertain myself at slots.  I win.  Not much but usually I loose it all in a short time.  But hey I won!!!  Then I head to resteraunts and get abite to eat.  Head up to my room and off to beddyby.  Next morning am a wake early.  Getting ready for event when my phone rings.  Well they must have the wrong room.  No it is one of the ladies I have been talking with on Facebook.  She going to come up and finally meet me face to face.  Well come on up.  Stays for a few minutes and then hatter hugs and she is off to help with the event.  Takes along and afghan I made for Los Vegas. I donated an afghan I made with a red hat on it for the funvention in Los Vegas.

So now the event starts,  go down  and register.  You know how many ladies have said hi to me.  Reconize me from other things I have gone to.  And just all around welcomed me in to their groups.  I was just overwhelmed.  I think I may have walked away from someone talking to me.  If I did I am so sorry.  To be known by so many ladies and to be able to talk to soo many.  And to know so many from other things.  I was just so overwhelmed. I may have shut down for awhile.  So if I did walk away on you please forgive me.  I am new at this social thing.

So now I have so many more things to do.  I will be in Vegas and then Oshawa and  sanfransisco then back to ferndale and then the last one I am signed up for is edmonton.  Plus on top of that I have events going on in this area that I am attending as well.  I am making friendships that I hope will last a lifetime.  I am keeping myself going in hopes that it will stave off the wheelchair syndrome that the doc said I would be heading for.

So for now I thank you Sue Ellen for starting this all and how it has evolved.  If not for you I would be sitting in my house starring at the walls waiting for the paint to peel and me to be not walking much.  It will happen eventually but not for many years to come.

For now my shell is still I tacked but it has a very large crack in it.  My wings are a fluttering out this crack and ready to fly.  Someday I will have the courage to break out of the shell altogether.  At least is hoping.  For now a little overwhelmed about this process but I am trying.  

I would like to thank these ladies that ha pave taken me under there wing to try to fly.  Pauline my queen.  Norma the ambassador queen Bev, and Lorna who took me under their wing in Sacramento.  Jean another queen who has helped me in Sacramento.  Then there are ladies who have friended me on Facebook and I am getting to meet in person little by little .  Lynette, Emma and Carol.  And to all the rest of you ladies out there I will be meeting in the future.

I give you all red hat hugs for helping me to finally be a social butterfly and break this shell completely.  See you all at future funventions and beyond.

Had a marvellous time at project runway

After talking so much on the Internet to another red hatter we finally met.

Lynette.  We talked on Facebook quite a bit.  Or at least I made comments on things she had put up and vies versa.  Down in Washington state at the at the silver reef casino. Doing red hat event.  

This one was a dinner and fashion show.  Well a very interesting fashion show at that.  The participants had to get a lampshade and decorate it into a hat.  The stipulation was that you had to buy all of your supplies at the dollar store. Sure came up with some interesting ways to decorate

 a lampshade.  Some went elligant others went all out and then the was just the plane silly.  All beautifully decorated with lots of imagination.

Elizabeth did a flamingo theme

This is a lampshade with a bra on top.  Looks like a boostiea.

A gambling lady

The use of an emergency blanket.  She said she was pretty hot after awhile.

Here are just a few of the hats with also a few going all out and doing a while costume from the dollar store.

So this was a get together of ladies from both sides of the border.  Getting together to enjoy everyone's company and make new friends and have a few laughs.

This is the first event where I started to reconize ladies I have seen before.  Sat with some ladies from surrey that I have been to other places with.  So I am starting to feel more comfortable with going to these places and meeting new people.  I walked a round the room and little and you know I recognized allot of ladies.  From seeing on Facebook and from other events.  They are so welcoming. And love to hear what I have been up to and vice versa.

Well anyways back to the event.  We where registered into the room and given a breast cancer pin.  The event raised around 700 dollars for cancer research.  Very good job.  They raffled off two quilts, 

Oh yeah a meal as well.  Buffet with lots and lots of food.  Chicken and seafood.  Veggies and pasta salads.  Dessert was on the table and you know a few had their dessert first.  You know that is a red hat thing.  Enjoy your dessert first.  I like that motto.  I do that more then I do eating my first course.  

Here you go red hats everywhere.  After the event was over you would be out in the casino and see red hats everywhere out the playing the slots.

I tried a little again but that was the end of my luck.  I could put money in and it would go just as fast.  Didn't loose what I won yesterday but if I would have kept going probably would have.

Oh it was good to see Darlyne and Angela out to enjoy a red hat time together.  Also congrats to Angela for having her last checkup being told she is cancer free.  Koodos to her.

A little while since I wrote on here.

Well let's see what I have been up to in tlas tittle while.  Well I did some sewing.  Made a few things that will go with outfits for some of the events I am going to.  I spent one whole day with a borrowed sewing machine and material everywjphere just trying to get things done.  Well I think I did pretty good.  First I got a cape done with purple fur trim done.  Very long cape to keep me a little warmer with my strapless dress.  It will be April when I wear it and yes it will. Be in Ontario where it will probably be still a little chlli.

It flows beautifully and may bea little long without the dress under it but I believe that the dress which has a wide skirt it will be the right length.  This will be a titanic first class outfit.  Hoping it looks okay.

Next I had some dragonfly material in the colour of purple.  Thought it would be a good start for a Chinese New Year out fit.  Have a pointy hat that I can do something with to make it red and this is the material

Pretty isn't it.  Well this took me all day to finish and get the sewing machine back to my friend .  This is what it turned out like

The couloir does not look right in this picture but it is purple  and the Jammie's under it a a silky purple. With wide legs to make them confy.  The light was not good when I took the picture.  So yes they do look red..

Now I have a couple more projects to work on.  I said I would make a couple of quilting projects for a couple of events coming up in the future.  I just love crafting.   It keeps me busy and the advantage is aim not eating. If I am keeping busy.  I can stop when I have to and I can keep working on it if I know I can.  Not like work where I have to be there standing all day without a chance to sit down.

Alright enough about work.  This blog is not about me whining about having to do something that is going against my grain right now. 

Alright so today I did a little drive on my own.  Very proud of my self.  I have ventured out on my own.tomorrow is an event for red hatting.  Called project runway.  Some ladies are going to model the hats that they made.  The best part is they made them out of lampshades.  And the criteria is they get a lampshade and decorate it so that all the items come from a dollar store.  This should be interesting to watch tomorrow.  Give eat few ideas about what I could do.  Well I did make a lampshade hat but I did not use all dollar store items.  So it sits at home while I go out and have some fun.

Just so georgious isn't it.  Ha it will stay in my room and not be worn anywhere special I think.  Anyways I did try something different.  Next a bra hat that some of the ladies are making.  Don't think so on that either.

Well let's see getting back to my drive.  For the morning I tried to do a little drawing on my next project.  Flubbed it up at least twice before I got it right.  Or as close to right as I think it should look.  It is suppose to be a spiral design.  Now for me getting it down on material.  That will be another question. Anyways gave up on drawing and decided it was time to leave.  Was not sure what the border crossing would be like or the drive over the countryside.  Might take forever or might just be a snap.  So I get to the border and the line is only five minutes or so.  Okay this is good.  I get up to the gate and say gods afternoon.  He says where you heading.  I say casino in ferndale.  Are you meeting anyone there.  Yeah and few red hat ladies.  So your a red hat lady.  Yes I am.  Okay have a nice day.  This is so nice I love being a red hatter.  The border crossing seems to know them well and so far has not given me much trouble and not many questions for going to the states.  Now I am on my way.  I have my route all written down so I know where to turn and where to go.  Hopefully no construction that takes me off route or I am hooped.  I make all of my turns until all of a sudden I seem to be going further then I thought.  Oppps must have missed a turn.  Next thing I know I am at  another road I reconize from the last time I was down here.  I am in Bellingham now instead of heading towards ferndale.  Okay where did I go wrong.  Hey this is the road to the airport.  Okay just take it over to I 5 and then backtrack a little.  That will get me to the road I should have taken.  Yes back where I shouldbe.  Off the expressway and onto overpass.  Now I am driving on the road I should be on. But things do not seem right.  Should there not be buildings around here.  I thought this was in a town someplace.  Nope.  I am driving in the country.  Up ahead well!!!  There is the casino.  Out in the middle of nowhere.  Only see a gas station here.  Well this will be a fun place to walk around.  So I get my self checked in   Unpack a little and then head down stairs and wonder around.  Well should have brought my swimsuit.  Could have gone in the pool.  Did not think of that.  So the only other thing is casino.  Well I gamble but always loose.

Never any luck with me.  So I spent the past two hours down I the casino.  You know what. I am up 210 dollars.  What cha think of that.  And all on just putting 20 bucks in the machine. Went to another machine and no luck there.  So jumped to another one and nothing much there either.  Okay around five figured I should get something to eat.  So went over to the buffet.  Oh boy was that a good buffet.  Veggies and uns to start.  Then there is seafood and more seafood and then there is beef and steaks. More veggies to choose from.  Then the. Best part of all.  Dessert.  Lots and lots of dessert.  I am just stuffed.  So now it is either go back to room and wear off food just sitting on bed or do I play a little more slots.  Well I went back to the slots..  Traveled through a couple of machines before I found one that gave me the rest of my winnings for night.  Figured I better stop while I am ahead or I am just going to loose everything I just gained.  I know it is not much.  But it paid for my dinner and is giving me a little more for my Vegas trip.  So a little more spending money down there.  Probably loose it in machine tomorrow or Ina. Machine  in Vegas.  My luck never stays very long.

So that was my excitement for today..  Got a little lost and got back on track.  Won a little cash.  Not much but nice to do for a change.  Did another adventure on my own.  The dashing darling is doing her best to have a little red hat fun.  Talk to you tomorrow night.