From Mommy To Mom To Mother MOTHERS Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it. Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox. Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids. Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets. Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up. Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.' Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother.... 4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything! 8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot! 12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything. 14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either. 16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old fashioned. 18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date! 25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it. 35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion. 45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it? 65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom . The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!   HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!       Link to the Red Hat Society Official Page

Message from Queen Tourmaline     We were contacted via e-mail through our website by someone wanting to know if we had any French speaking Red Hatters in our chapter. They were interested in interviewing a someone in French.  We passed the email on to Madame Aquamarine, who was born in Quebec, and taught French for 48 years, and is one of our original chapterettes. After speaking with the reporter, she decided to go ahead and spread the word, and agreed to be interviewed on behalf of the Precious Gems and Red Hatting.  She asked me to be there, and although I do not speak French, the reporter wanted to meet both of us. Little did we know that the interview was to be aired on TFO TV.  They arrived with TV van, videographer, and the reporter to interview us.  We were pretty nervous, not expecting this, we thought it was to be a magazine article.  I sure wasn't dressed in my Red Hat regalia, although I did have a red hat, not much more.  We certainly didn't anticipate being filmed. The reporter was very gracious and asked questions in English and French.  I answered in English and Madame Aquamarine in French.  She asked about our conception, how we started and how our friendship began.  Madame Aquamarine and I have known each other for 34 years, living next door to each other.  We have watched our children grow and play together and as the years passed we remained great friends. The show was aired on April 18, TFO - channel 13.  They also interviewed other Red Hatters attending a tea, in full Red Hat regalia and style.  They were great representatives of Red Hatting.  Needless to say, they cut a lot of our interview before it hit TV.  I guess we just weren't that entertaining.  I am grateful they cut most of my portion, but Madame Aquamarine looked great and gave a good interview.  Even though it wasn't a long segment, it was an experience to remember. As we were doing the interview, I made an observation.  We go through the paces of being a Red Hatter, work on the website, the organizing etc.  It seems like the months fly by always looking forward to the next month's event.  It takes an interview, someone asking about the chapter and what we do etc. to bring out chapter pride.  We have done so much in the few years we have been a chapter, making and getting to know a lot of new friends.  Working with the Eden Food Bank, and the nursing home Christmas Stocking event.  We have been good friends, and supported each other through ups and downs.  It takes someone to ask about the Precious Gems, why we began and where we have come to remind us what a great Red Hat Chapter we are.  I am very proud of us, our amazing website, and each of our chapterettes, even if most of our interview ended up "on the cutting room floor" as they say. Hats & Hugs, Queen Tourmaline           May 11, 2012