Sittin in the airport. Having a blast

Okay so this is not much of a blast.

Do you beleive it.  I am going to fly from Toronto to Vancouver and then back to Calgary were I will pick up another flight back to abbotsford.  I could drive from Vancouver to abbotsford in a shorter time then flying back to Calgary   This is going to be one long day in the air. Mi like flying but this is ridiculous.

Well I guess I got to take what I can get.  They change flights and you can not get on anything else.  I could put up a stink but what would that do.  Just havering me make a stink.  I am not waiting here until 5 tonight like two other ladies are.  You want to bet I will meet up with them  in Calgary to fly back to abbotsford.  What a mix up this is.  I will get back in one peice just be a little tired.

Tomorrow we head for home. Back to the grindstone. Aw!!!

Woke up this morning and you know it sure was not easy.

Was dancing the night away again last night.  Well at least until around eleven and then headed back to the room.

The music was great to listen to.  Very up beat and just dang fun to dance and sing to.  Then I came back to the room and instead of going to bed like a good girl I sat up some more.  Watched a little tv and played on the Internet.  So you see the morning came so early and I just did not want to crawl out of that nice warm bed.  Well I did crawl out and get ready for our last day together.

So now we say goodbye to all the friends we made.  The company we had for the last few days.  The friendships that will last a lifetime.  All the laughter and smiles we shared.

Oh oh the titanic is sinking..  Some ladies came rushing in yelling and screaming.  We hit and iceberg.  We a re going down.  They gave us life savers.  Well I do not know how much they are going to help but they gave us candy lifesavers, but only two and there was ten of us at the table.  Oh my how are we going to survive.

As you see by the room the chairs are on the ceiling.  Things look like they are flying everywhere.  The place is just topsy turny.   It is great how they transformed the room from one day to the next.

Breakfast was served.  Sausage, bacon, bacon eggs and fruit.  So filling.  They fed us really good for the past three days. More of the prizes were given out.  The shawl that I had made was given to a lady sitting at our table.  I am happy that it went to a lovely lady.  I hope she enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it.

 It was such fun!!!  Had a great time.  Thank you ladies for letting me be part of your celebration.  I will take fond memories back home with me.  The committee did such a marvolous job on putting this together.  The craftyness and effort put into making the whole thing go together is just amazing.  I had a blast.

So now it is time to say goodbye.  I am all packed up now.  Sat down on the bed for a few minutes and nodded off to sleep.  Well guess it was something I needed.  Woke up around 3 and decided it was time to get out for some fresh air.  So took a little walk up the street.  Decided to look in fabricland.  There was some nice material in there but you know I didn't buy it.  Even if it was seventy percent off.  I have a suitcase that is full have to get that home.  I was a good girl in that way.  I still thought about it but yes did not buy it.  Think I should finish some of material I have at home first.

I have my reservation for my flight booked in.  My bags are ready except for a few things that will be put in tomorrow morning.  Better remember them as it will be an early morning.  All set were I should be able to see them.

Tonight am having a last dinner with some ladies and then I guess it will be a early to bed.  So will not be writing tonight.  This will be my last entry for this event.  Tomorrow will be home in my own bed again. 

So will leave you all with a few more pictures of the past few days.  Again thank you Eleanor and her team of ladies for such a great time.  You all did such a great job one everything.  I will certainly think about coming again when and if you have another event.  Loved the time spent with my red hat sisters.

Registration

Ladies from Michigan, Australia and right here in Ontario

Belly on up to the bar.  Wimp me tasting

Natural wonder Niagara fall,   th room set up and look at those costumes

Now to start thinking about the next event.  It is an international event with many ladies going to be there from all over the world.  San fransisco here I come.  Costumes are being put together and I believe I will have as much fun as I have had with all the other events I have gone to.  I may need a second suitcase for this one though as one of my costumes is very huge with lots of material.  It is being made for me as I speak and I will see it in a month or so.

Well guess it is time to put my typing fingers to rest.  Thanks again for the great time.  Oh and jan you are such a wonderful lady and so welcoming.  Will love meeting up with you again sometime.  Your smile and energy are so heartwarming.  Love ya all!

Well today started out with I really do not want to get up, but I have to

So had to be up this morning.  Not too early but a little earlier then I would have wanted to.

So brunch started at 9 this morning.  Let the fun begin for the day!!!

We waited outside the doors for the room to open.  Some ladies had on thier Jammie's others had dressed to the hilt for breakie.  It was a mix and match of outfits this morning.  Buffet style meal that consisted of items for breakfast as well as items for lunch.  An abundance of food.  Yes and all yummy.

After the brunch was eaten a few door prizes were given out and Crusty came for a visit.  I got a red hat titanic pin for being one of the first to sign up for this event.

We all left the room around 1 to have free time for the afternoon.  Some ladies signed up to do a few crafts.  Others went to a display on the titanic.  There was even a room that was set up with red hat memoralbelia owned by a couple of the ladies.

They had a whole room full of items they had collected over the years.  Just amazing if you like that kind of stuff, which right now I do.

I spent a little time in the pool again today.  Just to get the kinks out from dancing last night.  Yeah I did a little dancing.  Something I had not done in ages.  Such fun but my back was telling me about it.

Around 4 started to put on the ritz again.  Another dress of purple and the bling.  Tonight is the night of beautiful dresses.  I have a nice dress but will not look as good as some of the ideas that going to be worn tonight.

Purdy huh!!!   We waited again in the hall for the doors to open.  The queens were to go in another room to have their picture taken as a group.  I scooted into the titanic room while these pictures were being taken.  This gave me a little time to snap a few pictures of how they decorated the room.  It is just amazing what they had done.

There is the saitprcase in behind the table we were going to sit at.  Look how the table is all set up and the chairs are covered so elegantly.

And some of the outfits

This is across the dance floor.  Life boats and even an iceberg showing up.

The queens made their entrance into the room.  My my all the beautiful outfits and bling.  Just stunning.  I tried getting a couple of pictures but they are too dark to see.

We all sat down and got ourselves settled.  The meal was then served.  We had butternut squash soup, salad, roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy and a veggie.  And desert as well.  Just stuffed.  More door prizes were given out and the thank yous to all the volunteers.  Then in came a band to play so we could get up and shake our booty again.

Dancing to the music of the sixties and seventies.  So much fun. Jean was even up having a great time.  She is eighty four years old and still has the moves

When the band took a break there was a few more door prizes given out.  They have allot a great prizes to give away.  A fifty fifty draw was done and the lucky lady got herself a nice prize.

Here is just a couple more pictures of the ladies at my table.  Great bunch of gals.  Am having a wonderful time with them.  Have met a few more that will be lifetime friends for me.  Just have to get over the shyness but that is coming.  My circle is increasing every time I go to one of these events and the events in my neighbourhood.  And oh the fun I am having.

Well will talk again tomorrow.  Last day and then it is time to head for home.  I really enjoy these days and am sad to see them over.  But then I look forward to the next adventure and what I can do and wear.  I have a few ideas in the works and hope they go over as well as the ideas I had for this one and the one I went to a couple of months ago.  I always think that if I wear something silly that it will not go over good.  But so far I have not had any negative feedback except maybe behind  my back and who cares about what they say behind my back.  It is my back anyways and not my face.  That is their prerogative not mine.  So will keep doing what I am doing and enjoy myself to the best that I can.  Yes the smile is on my face and I am laughing again. Thoroughly enjoying myself and having a great yes I mean really great time.

Well a day of shopping a little swimming and then a get together tonight with everyone

So today got a little more sleep this morning.

When I got up I headed out to get a little more fruit and boy was that a little chilly.  Yesterday was so good and the sun was shining and today the wind is up and makes it a little more chilly.  Well I made the little walk.  Just to get some fresh air and a little exercise.  It did feel god but I was cold when I got back.

Came back to the room.  Put my purchases away and then changed to go down and do a little vendor shopping.   Yeah yeah I know should not be buying anymore, but if I see the one special thing I am going to buy it.  I just can not resist.  I seem a couple of hats that were nice, but she only wanted cash or cheque.  Let's see only a little cash with me and I did not bring along my check book.  Who the heck uses cheques anymore.

Well I did buy one hat.  Just a little one.  Hat to pay cash but it was kinda nice on me.  Well you know how it is.  Maybe not.  I think in need hat help.

Well enough about hats.  I never even liked hats until I got into red hatting.  I would buy hats but never wear them.  Maybe I do need help from hatters anonymous.  Is there such a thing.  No probably not I am just hopeless.

This afternoon I had a little free time.  So put on my swimsuit and went to the pool.  Did a few laps and then enjoyed the heat of the hot tub.  Then a few more minutes in the pool scratching out and one more time to the hot tub.  Boy did that feel good since it was so chilly this morning.

Noticed what time it was and headed back to room to take shower and get all gussied up for tonight.  One fancy dress down and one more to go.

Very snazzy huh?  This dress I found in a thrift store last year.  It was only 20 dollars and you know it fit.  Just a little tight but it would do.  You go to thrift stores after prom is over and you can find all sorts of treasures.  I got lucky with a couple of dresses I have in my collection.  I love getting dressed up and doing something and this is a way to be able to do that.  I do have to wear a hat too but you know what I didn't like before is growing on me.  If the hat is not on right the headache does come but if I get it right I really do not notice it up there.  I love the big ones that I can wear tilted to the side with feathers on them.  The smaller ones do not look that good on me and the clips do not stick in my fine hair too well.  But I keep trying.  A head band works better.

Oh getting off track again.so doors were to open in the ballroom at 5:15.  So headed down the hall to the ballroom.  It isn't like last convention were I had to walk half way across a casino in my showgirl outfit.  This one was just down the hall but through the lobby.  I am not wearing anything silly anyways so no matter.

We are all standing outside the ballroom to head in and find our table.  The doors are a little late opening.  Oh my gosh they did an amazing job at decorations.  There is the stairway at one end of the ballroom.  Tables to one side and tables to the other side and a dance floor in the center.  Here is all sorts of decorations put up to depicked the titanic.  

After a while of socializing and talking with everyone we took our seats and started our dinner.  The committee made their entrance and sat at the head tableThe meal had a salad to start, chicken and potatoes and a veggie and then ice cream for desert.  Oh very yummy.  I know I have been saying very yummy all weekend but hey it was.

After the meal was over a few of the door prizes were given out.  Nothin for me but the lady on either side of me won something.  Good for them.

For the next couple of hours we danced the night away.  Boy was that fun.

From there the birthday cake was cut for the red hat anniversary of 16 years.

More dancing and everyone got a peice of cake.  More calories to try to dance off.

Well I guess that does my day.  Time for bed.  Will be up for brunch tomorrow at 9:30. I have not been getting up too early as there is three hours difference between here and were I live. So if I am up for brunch that would be 6:30 in morning.  This is screwing a bit with my system, but I will take it for a few days to have this kind of fun.

So talk to you tomorrow

Day three. Having a blast but dang am tired tonight.

This morning was an early morning.have a bus tour scheduled to go over to Niagara Falls area.

Should dress warm as it is not that warm outside.  But thank goodness the sun is shining today.  This will make the trip allot better.

We meet down in the lobby.  There are 22 of us going on one big bus.  Well I guess there will be lots of room for us to stretch our feet and take up a couple of seats.

Here are a few of the ladies that are going along.  Boy oh boy they really know how to strutt their stuff. This is going to be one fun little side trip.

We all head for the bus.  Everyone can have a window seat if they want one.  Great no one jumping over someone else to get a picture of something if they want to.  Just kidding.  But yes there was allot of room for us.  Well when we shop we will have lots of room for our items.

Traffic is the pits all through Toronto.  But when is it never the pitts?  Finally to our first destination.  The Jackson triggs winery.  The ladies were trying little samples of each and a few came out with some bottles to take home.  I have to say yes I did try some wine.  The ice wine was very good.  Since I was only taking one or two sips I went for the best.  It was nice on the pallet.  I could enjoy a glass of wine once in while but then again na!

I liked the building.  It had a fireplace from floor to ceiling. All made of stone.  No no picture of that.  But it is something like what I would like in my house.

The next stop after we all got back on the bus and had wine all packed away was the pillar and post cannery.  The meal consisted of a starter, entrie and desert.  I had salad and then Pesci salmon and then a yummy piece of coconut cream cake afterwards.  Boy did that fill me up.  But yes it was just yummy.

After we finished our meal we drove to the downtown area of Niagara on the lake and enjoyed an hour of shopping.  Yes shopping.  My favourite pastime.  Some of the places were a little more expensive then I would look for but the stuff was just pretty to look at.  I did find a little bling and a couple of scarves to add to my collection of red hatting.  Oh no not more for that room.  It is getting full now.  Yes I did.  I probably did not need it but it looked nice.

So shopping is done and some of us get back to bus while others are still shopping.or taking pictures.  So have to wait a little for them to get back.  Not too late just came back on the next shuttle.  So were no behind schedule in any way.

So now we drive along the Niagara river to the falls.  That was a nice drive.  We get to the south side of the falls and everyone gets off.  A few of the ladies had not seen the falls before and were just amazed.

Yes I had to take a selfie to prove I was there.  Not a bad selfie though.  Anyways I took off down to the other end of the falls.. Wanted to try and get a picture of both falls which you can not get at the south side.  No one else walked down there with me.  I started to think that maybe walked a little far and would not make it back to the bus on time.  I got my picture plus a great picture of the falls with a rainbow there as well.

So after an hour around the falls got back on the bus for the long ride back to Oshawa and the hotel.more traffic.  Lots and lots of traffic.  Stop and go all the way. I missed part of it though.  I nodded off.  That was a good thing.  I needed a little extra sleep I think.  Woke up again as we were coming through the north end of Toronto.  So still had a little ways to go.  But at least I was a little rested.

Finally back at the hotel.  Into our rooms put away our treasures and then headed down to the ball room to join in with a meet and greet.  A little food to snack on and then meeting up with ladies that I met at other conventions.  Just trying to remember who they were and were I had seem them before.  Some I did remember.  I am getting better.

These are all ladies from across Canada.  Sorry faces I did not get but I was trying.  Just no cooperation on their part.  One is from British Columbia, then there is Alberta, then Ontario and the last lady is from Nova Scotia.  So all the way across Canada.  Just met each other tonight, well at least three of them did and the other two had been friends for years.  They all just hit it off.

One last picture for the night.  The room is filling with red hat ladies.  From everywhere.  They finished off the night with a few kareyokee songs.  I headed up to my room a little bit after that.  Party pooper that I am.  No just tired from the long trip we had today.  So decided it was time to scoot off to bed.  But as you can see.  Not in bed yet but writing here.  Silly me.  Another big day coming up tomorrow and I am still up.  Yeah yeah heading to bed now.

Talk to you tomorrow

I thought today would be a bust,but!!!

So this morning I did not get out of bed until ten o'clock.   I guess I needed the sleep.  Did work out good though.  There was not much going on today except registration.

So got myself out of bed and headed down to the resteraunt to get a bit of breakie.  Hopefully it is still opened for breakfast.  Yes it is.  A nice buffet to get some eggs a muffin and a little meat.  Filled the spot.  Now what do I do for the day.  Well let's see a walk should be in order and see what is around here.  It wasn't looking too promising last night as to what might be close by.  So I step outside and emediatly come back through the door.  Dang it is chilly out there.  Cold cold cold.  I am not use to that.  Should go back up to room and get another layer or so on.  Well that should do it.

I don't think there is much out around there to see, but will head down the road anyways and see.  Got to get some fresh air and a little exercise.  Boy is that wind chilly.  I can do this though.  Hey just down the way it looks like there is a food land there.  Well I can get myself a little fruit and something to drink there for later.  Five minutes down the road and I am back in someplace warm.  Wander around the store for a few minutes and see the best looking plums I have seem in ages.  Nice big and juicy.  So pick up three of them and a couple of apples and something to drink.  Well all set for next few days.  Might as well check out the rest of the stip mall.  Hey there is a fabricland down at the other end.  No I am not buying any fabric.  Just in case I find something else at the vendors.  I need room in my suitcase.  After I am done at the vendors and checked them all out may go back to fabricland.  There was some material there.  Beautiful purple, on sale that could be used for something.  Let's see fabric or vendors.  Do the vendors first and then maybe a trip back out in the cold.  Or maybe not.  Might talk myself out of it yet.  Then again maybe not.

So head back with my food to the room.  More cold cold walk. This is not what I signed up for.  Hopefully it will be a little better tomorrow.  Going to see the falls tomorrow and would love it to be a little warmer so can spend some time outside.  I am not use to this cool weather anymore.  I guess my blood has gotten a little thinner from when I use to live here.

So have not met up with anyone yet today.  So head back to my room until it opis time for registration. That is any two o'clock.

There ya go the picture proves it. I am registered now.  I also dropped off the shawl I was giving as a raffle prize.  Something I had made for another event and did not happen.  So decided to get rid of it here.

So now this is out of my hands and I have room for some other craft in the house.  Will be going to someone else very special at the end of the convention.

So as I was down registering I meet up with Norma and jean .  Two of the ladies I am traveling with.  I also meet a few other ladies as well.

Well not a very sharp picture but these ladies in order are from Michigan, two sisters from Australia another lady from Michigan and one from Ontario.  The one from Ontario is Jan Lukas who I heard so much about through Facebook and have now had the pleasure of meeting.  She is such a lovely outgoing person who says she is very quiet.  Well okay!!!

Jan organized a few of us to go out to the keg for dinner tonight.  Boy the meal was just delish and you know there was so many laughs and stories going around the table.  One lady from Edmonton who had come by herself had joined in with us and was so welcomed in.  She thought she would be a little alone but not to be had when Jan and others are around.

The fun continues as we all went to Norma's room afterwards for a nightcap.  Sat around and talked and laughed some more.  This is what red hatting is about.  Getting out meeting new friends that will last a lifetime.  

I thought that this first couple of days would be quiet for me, but instead I am ending up meeting up with other ladies having a good time and enjoying myself emencely.

The quiet one is going to break this shell yet.

Oops I put the picture up again when I was looking for another it was this one I wanted to put up.

That is the last for tonight.  Talk again tomorrow

First leg of my next journey

Last night was a bit of a bust to get any sleep.  Every time I started to nod off I thought of something else I needed to take along.  My suitcase is going to overflowing again.  I weighed it before I went to bed and it is under, but if I keep putting more stuff in I am going to burst at the seams again.  Well a fan I had for an outfit I put in.  Then I think oh yeah I need my gloves as well.  This is getting a little silly. Go put them in if I need them.  So up I get a couple of times to go put more stuff into my suitcase.  I do finally get to sleep, but seven in the morning is going to be awful early for me.

Well I was awaken by hubbie coming home from work.  The dogs went crazy to welcome him home and then started to jump on me.  Well I guess I better get up an get on with my day.  I would have had a few more minutes to sleep anyways.  It is the pits having to get up, but if I want to catch a plane on time.

Well on the road.  Just a little ride to abbotsford airport.  After struggling to get my huge suitcase into my little bug.  Got it in once but did not sit right and my trunk would not go down.  Pulled it back out and tried again.  This time went in just right.  Not pulling it out again.  If I have forgotten anything oh well it is staying home.

Found a good parking spot were I am able to find my car when I get home.  Nicely under a roof so if it is raining I am not going to get too wet. Like that idea.  Lug my suitcase out of the car.  Then my hatbox.  Boy oh boy I never use to travel with so much stuff. Just a nice little suitcase and my purse.  Now it is a huge suitcase and a carry on for my hats and my purse/napsack.  Thank goodness for rolling suitcases or I would not be bringing much at all.  The person who invented that I am so thankful for.

Walk into airport and am directed to go to the kios.  All is automated now.  Really do not talk much with an attendant anymore.  Soon will not have them at all.  I like the personal touch not pushing buttons on a machine.  I guess that is what they call progress though.  Print out my suitcase tag and then go up to attendant so they can make sure who I am and then roll my suitcase through.  I had checked in the morning before so had a boarding pass already printed.  Got to the airport just in time to go through security and a wait only a few minutes as the plane has just landed.  Meet up with three other ladies who are on the same flight.

We board the plane and get settled in for our first short hop.  This is just over to edmonton.  So an hour in the plane. Had a bit of lunch to tie us over until we get to our destination.  Wait another hour in Edmonton and then we boarded onto the last part of our journey to ontario.  I have a window seat both times.  Am not sitting close to the other ladies that are traveling with me so a nice nap I guess will be in order.  At least I am hoping I will nap.  I usually do not but my eyes are bobbing away.  So just put my head against the headrest and see what happens.

An hour later I wake.  We are flying over Winnipeg right now.  As I look out the window I see snow down there and big puffy clouds that look like cotton balls. Well could be snow or the water we are flying over could still be frozen.  I hope it is not too nippy out there.  Maybe Ontario will be a little better.  I am wearing layers so if warm can take a few off.  If cold well guess I am suffering a little.

Both flights so far are relatively smooth.  I guess I should not say anything as then it might get bumpy.  Yeah I spoke too soon.  Here comes the bumpiness.  We are jumping around here a little now.  Not easy to write too much while this is going on.  Spelling is going to get pretty bad here.  So will stop for now and write some more tonight when I get to hotel and checked in.  We are meeting up with a couple of other ladies in Toronto and then there will be eight traveling together to Oshawa.  The convention starts on Thursday with a bus trip to Niagara Falls.  I am going on this bus trip.  Will be nice to see again.  Just hope it is not too nippy.

So we get into Toronto ahead of schedule.  My legs are telling me it is time to stand up.  Knees are aching a little soon to be turning into allot if I don't get to stand up.  There is an announcement that says please stay seated while we have the medical team come on to help a person off the plane.  Oh something happened at the front of plane.  I wonder what?  Well we finally get ourselves off the plane and find out that it was one of the ladies I was traveling with.  Her asthma started to acted up on the plane and she could not breath.  Oh oh this is not good.  We meet of the plane and she is doing much better.  A little coughing yet but is ready to make the rest of the trip to Oshawa.

We meet up with the other four ladies and catch a shuttle to Oshawa.  Another hour. Riding in a nice comfy shuttle.  Seat eight of us just nicely and got all of our luggage in as well.  Thank goodness traffic is not too bad this time of night.  Easy ride to hotel.  Check in and time to get those dresses back out of the suitcase before they are wrinkled to no end.

So have not eaten since noon.  Do need to have something to eat.  I looked outside as we came into parking lot.  Does not seem like there is much around here to walk to close.  Maybe in morning will see what is around, but now do need to eat something.  Walk by front desk and see they have chocolate bars there.  Well it will do in a pinch.  As I ask about getting something to eat the attendant says that the bar is staying opened late so we could get something to eat and two of the ladies are already in there.  Well that worked out good.  So went and sat down with them and ordered some nachos to snack on.  Yes that hit the spot well.  The fourth lady came down a little later to tell the attendant that her phone was not working and she noticed that we were sitting in there eating.  So came in a had a little bite to eat as well.

We have all returned to our rooms now to settle our food and rest up for tomorrow.  The fun does not start for another day so will probably just be piddling around and checking out the area.  We could catch a shuttle to to raceway and play in the casino for a bit.  Tomorrow night may be going out for a nice dinner with some more ladies. Or maybe not, depends on what comes up.

So an early morning tomorrow.  For some of us but I don't think for me.  Will see what comes of tomorrow morning as to whether I roll over early or late.  The bed just feels so comfy right now.

I know today's blog is a little boring.  The fun will start in a couple of days.  So for now just exploring the area and see what I can come up with before the funvention starts..  Tomorrow exploring and registering, then the next day will be heading on a bus trip to Niagara Falls to see the sights around there.  That will be fun.  Some of the ladies are going to high tea, but I did not register for that. So guess I am going to miss out on one time of dressing up.

So talk to you again tomorrow.

So am all packed

I finished this shawl here just in time for my next convention.  I think this will keep me warm if it gets a little nippy.  But the weather app on my iPad is telling me that it should not be to cold.  Well let's hope so anyways. Mi am not taking too many warmer clothes with me.

So finished packing here the other day.  This is late for me.  I usually have everything ready a couple of weeks before.  The thing is. I have a couple of dresses I did not want to get too smoothed before I had to go.  

Tomorrow morning I will be getting my reservation done so am soon on the go.  My hats are together and what I am wearing and my suitcase ready to go.  Yes Oshawa here I come and a titanic adventure.

 Be there for a week. Gonna have a good time.  Will be taking a bus tour down to Niagara Falls as well.  I have some nice dresses to wear and get all dressed up .  Just love doing that.

So now you have another week of listening to my dribble on another convention.  To you I know boring but to me just allot of fun.