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April
25th - poem by Sue Ellen Cooper
ABC's
of Red Hatting
4 levels of
hatting (2 versions)
Now
I Lay Me Down To Sleep
Thanks
for food
THE
LITTLE RED (HATTED) HEN- by Sue Ellen Cooper
I am too blessed to be
stressed...
When
I'm an Old Lady
SANDBAGS
FIVE STAGES OF A FEMALE
LIFE
ATTRIBUTES THAT ARE SHOWN TO BE
CONNECTED WITH SUCCESSFUL AGING:
If friendships are not nurtured,
Poem
about: All this red hat jazz
ABC's of Red
Hatting
Thanks
for this food
We thank
you for this food, this day, and for all your many blessings. May we
grow in love and kindness one to another day.
THE
LITTLE RED (HATTED) HEN
I am
climbing up on my soap box, waving my scepter in the air! Here
goes:
Remember the children’s story about the little red hen who wanted help
in planting and tending a garden and doing all the other chores
necessary to make a loaf of bread? Remember how she asked the
other animals to help her? “Not I,” said the cat. “Not
I,” said the dog, and so forth. So she wound up doing everything
herself. When the fresh loaf of bread was warm from the oven, the other
animals offered to help her eat it. The little hen declined,
reminding them that they had been unwilling to lift a finger to help her
when she needed it. They wanted all the benefits, but were willing
to contribute nothing. ... Sue Ellen Cooper
I am too blessed to be
stressed...
Someone will always be prettier.
They will always be smarter.
Their house will be bigger.
They will drive a better car.
Their children will do better in school.
And their husband will fix more things around the house.
So let it go, and love you and your circumstances.
Think about it.
The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.
And the richest woman you know (she's got the car, the house, the
clothes) might be lonely.
So, love you.
Love who you are right now.
"To
the world you might be one person, but, to one person you just might
be the world".
Red
Hat Song - sung to the tune of "Hey Hey We're the Monkees"
Now
I lay me
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my shape to keep,
Please no wrinkles,
Please no bags
And please lift my butt before it sags.
Please no age spots,
Please no gray,
And as for my belly please take it away.
Please keep me healthy,
Please keep me young,
And thank you Dear Lord
for all that you've done.
When
I'm an Old Lady
From: Grandmom
When I'm an old lady, I'll live with each kid, and bring so much happiness
just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided, returning each deed! Oh,
they'll be so excited!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
I'll write on the walls with reds, whites, and blues, I'll bounce on the
furniture while wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out, I'll stuff all the toilets
and oh, how they'll shout!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
When they're on the phone and just out of reach, I'll get into things like
sugar and bleach.
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head, and when that is
done, I'll hide under the bed!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
When they cook dinner and call me to eat, I'll not eat my green beans or
salad or meat, I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table, and when they
get angry, I'll run if I'm able!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
I'll sit close to the
TV, through the channels I'll click; I'll cross both eyes
just to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away, and play in the mud until the end
of the day!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)
And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh; I'll thank God in prayer and then
close my eyes. My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping, and say
with a groan, She's so sweet when she's sleeping!
God Bless All Moms and Grandmas Everywhere
SANDBAGS
Sandbags, hang from the sides of a hot air
balloon to keep it on the ground.
In the same way, we are kept on the ground,
prevented from soaring, because we have sandbags (fear, low self esteem,
inertia) weighing down our balloons.
If we cast off those sandbags one by one, our
balloons will begin to rise toward the sky, which is where they belong.
Ruby Redhat hopes to inspire us to follow her
into the rarified atmosphere of freedom from self-limitation.
The Red Hat
Society gives women the opportunity to
“live life large”
1.
Grow up
2.
To fill out
3.
To slim down.
4.
To hold it in.
5.
To hell with it.
A cheerful heart is good
medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones
ATTRIBUTES THAT ARE SHOWN TO BE
CONNECTED WITH SUCCESSFUL AGING:
v Orientation
toward the future. The ability to anticipate, to plant, and to hope.
v Gratitude,
forgiveness, and optimism. We need to see the glass as half-full, not
half-empty.
v Empathy. The
ability to imagine the world as it seems to the other person.
v The ability to
reach out. We need to keep our doors open to others.
When
I was in my younger days, I weighed a few pounds less.
I
needn't hold my tummy in to wear a belted dress.
But
now that I am older, I've set my body free:
There's
the comfort of elastic where once my waist would be.
Inventors
of those high-heeled shoes my feet have not forgiven.
I
have to wear a nine now, but used to wear a seven.
And
how about those pantyhose..They're sized by weight, you see.
So
how come when I put them on the crotch is at my knee?
I
need to wear these glasses as the print's been getting smaller;
And
it wasn't very long ago, I know that I was taller.
Though
my hair has turned to gray and my skin no longer fits,
On
the inside, I'm the same old me, its the outside's changed a bit.
As Queen of
RazZmaTazZ
Women ask about all this Red Hat jazz.
How to start a brand new chapter.
How to ensure there will be lots of laughter.
Off I go with my big tote bag full of goodies.
We brain storm, share and “shoot the breeze”.
Learning about the dis-organization.
Trying to decide what will be this creation.
Choosing a name is a big to-do.
Learning about the group gives a clue.
A play on words gives meaning
Pride in the name causes preening.
Delegate, delegate, delegate...
Before the Queen gets a headache.
What are those job titles rare?
Duchess, Countess...a Princess to spare.
How to make this new group unique?
How to reach the Red Hat heartbeat?
Lots of royal craziness with great ceremony.
To the Red
Hat Society give testimony.
Where to go on your Red Hat
How to dress for these crazy sightings?
Will you sip tea or hike with a llama,
Eat fancy tea sandwiches or soak in a sauna?
Not too much planning...let it flow.
Your Red Hat
chapter will grow and glow.
Remember times to laugh with glee
Over life, age and a shopping spree.
Enjoy this Red
Hat
experience.
It’s not supposed to make any sense.
Learn to let loose and be free.
Arm-in-arm Red
Hat
sisters giggle with glee.
To the newly formed chapters far and near
That is what Red Hatters do without fear.
Challenge this aging process with elation.
Add spice, laughter and jubilation.
Glad to share what this is all about.
Helping others to cheer and shout.
Cock your Red
Hat and
join the group.
Wear purple & red ...let out a joyful whoop.
by Barbara, Queen RazZ
RazZmaTazZ chapter, San Diego, CA
(used with permission)
To commemorate her 69th birthday actress/vocalist
Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music
Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she
performed was "My Favorite Things" from the legendary movie
"Sound Of Music."
However, the lyrics of the song were deliberately changed for the entertainment
of her "blue hair" audience.
Here are the lyrics she recited:
Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Cadillac's and cataracts and hearing aids and glasses
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.
Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heat pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Back pains, confused brains, and no fear of sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.
When the joints ache,
when the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.
Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd
that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.
Here we come
Walking down the street
We get the funniest looks from
Everyone we meet
Hey,hey we're the Red
Hatters
and people say we're kind of loud
But we're too busy singing
to put anybody down
We go wherever we want to
Do what we like to do
We don't have time to get restless
There's always something new
Hey,hey we're the Hatters
and people say we monkey around
But we're too busy havin fun
to put anybody down
We're just trying to be friendly
Come and watch us sing and play
We're the old generation
And we got something to say!
Any time, or anywhere,
Just look over your shoulder
Guess who’ll be standing there
Hey,hey we're the Hatters
You never know where we'll be found
So you better get ready!
We may be comin to your town!
Hey,hey we're the Red Hatters
and people say we're kinda loud
But we're too busy playing
to put anybody down!
The
ABCs of Red Hat Society Friendship
A
Friend Accepts you as you are.
Believes
in "you".
Calls
you just to say "Hi"!
Doesn't
give up on you.
Envisions
the whole of you (even the unfinished parts).
Forgives
your mistakes.
Gives
unconditionally.
Helps
you
Is
there for you when you need her.
Just
wants to "be" with you.
Keeps
you close at heart.
Loves
you for who you are.
Makes
a difference in your life.
Never
judges.
Offers
support.
Picks
you up.
Quiets
your fears.
Raises
your spirits.
Says
nice things about you.
Tells
you the truth when you need to hear it.
Understands
you.
Values
you.
Walks
beside you.
X-plains
things you don't understand.
Yells
when you won't listen.
Zaps
you back to reality.
So
…Consider Red Hatters your friends!
4
LEVELS OF HATTING:
Level 1 "HIGHLY INVOLVED" as with Queens and a few members - not
only do they wear the colors but enjoy gaudying and glitzing up - reading &
posting on the QMB - attending area & national conventions -- corresponds
with other ladies in other chapters -- collect anything red & purple -- have
little purple friends -- and enjoys talking about the RHS.
1.B - CHAPTER OF ONE.-- There is much to be said good about this approach.
She can meet with other Queens, chapters, and attend large events. She can Red
Hat as much or as little as she wishes.
Level 2 "NORMALLY INVOLVED" -- wears the colors, has fun, RSVP
on time -- but doesn't read or post on the QMB -- in between gatherings may or
may not enjoy talking about RHS.
Level 3 "BARELY INVOLVED" -- wears the colors but doesn't really
like to (wears them only because they have to) -- there are times they do not
wear hats or purple -- waits to the last minute to RSVP -- and tend to sit and
talk with the same ladies.
Level 4 "DON'T KNOW WHY THEY EVEN BOTHER": won't wear a hat --
thinks a speck of purple is purpling up -- won't RSVP -- has to be called and
reminded -- sits only with certain ladies -- and this list goes on.
But here are some things that can happen:
Some of "Level 2" ladies, after a few gatherings get all excited
and really blossom into glorious Red Hatters -- it just takes them a little time
to gaudy up.
With "Level 3" -- a few may blossom but more than likely the
most we can expect from them is to grow into being "Level 2". Talking
with these ladies about the importance of RSVPing on time may or may not work.
That leaves "Level 4" - We think these ladies either aren't
ready for the RHS, or they are just the sort of woman that is not happy and will
never be happy no matter what they do.
There may be hope for "Level 3" but personally I see no hope for
"Level 4" -- the "Level 4s" seem to drop out after a while.
And
Within
a chapter there seems to be 4 Levels of involvement:
Level 1 “Highly involved” as with Queens and a few members – not
only do they wear colors but enjoy gaudying and glitzing up- read & post on
QMB – attend area & national conventions – corresponds with other ladies
in other chapters – collect anything red & purple – have little purple
friends – and enjoys talking about the RHS
Level 2 “Normally involved” – wears colors – has fun – RSVP on
time - but doesn’t read or post QMB – in between gatherings may or may not
enjoy talking about RHS –
Level 3 “Barely involved” – wears colors but doesn’t really like
to (wears them only because they have to) – there are times they do not wear
hats or purple - waits to last minute to RSVP – tends to sit and talk with the
same ladies –
Level 4 “Don’t know why they even bother”: won’t wear a hat -
thinks a speck of purple is purpling up – won’t RSVP – has to be called
& reminded – sits only with certain ladies and this list goes on and on.
I have observed over the past year that the following can happen:
Some of “Level 2” ladies after a few gatherings get all excited and
really blossom into glorious red hatters – it just takes them a little time to
gaudy up.
With “Level 3” a few may blossom but more than likely the most we can
expect from them is to grow into being “Level 2”. Talking with these ladies
about RSVP on time may or may not work
That leaves “Level 4”– I really think these ladies either aren’t
ready for the RHS, going through something at this time – or they are just the
sort of woman that is not happy and will never be happy no matter what they do.
There may be hope for “Level 3” but personally I see no hope for
“Level 4” – the “Level 4s” seem to drop out after awhile.
All said and done - there is only so much we can do to with some women -
We can plan fun and exciting gatherings and lead by personal example BUT we can
not dress them -keep calling them about reservations - hold there hand, pamper
them or spoon feed them fun & silliness -
HooRay for the Red & Purple!!!!!!!!!!
------------------
FQM Lady Sara
Yellow Roses of Texas est. July 8,2002
Living life large in a small way!
In
honour of April 25th Sue Ellen Cooper wrote this poem… about the
first get-together wearing their red hats…
Like
Sue Ellen and her friend Linda – in January 2005 ??? Lynda, Bev, Gail,
Edna, and Carole met for lunch. Lynda and Gail met on the RHS’s QMB and
decided after speaking on the phone a few times, to meet in person. Gail
mentioned that Carole asked to join and Lynda invited Bev and so our little
group grew! Did it ever. We had such a great time that day that we decided to
meet every month. We then learned that another group was meeting as we were and
they named themselves the Queen’s Council so we followed suit and names
ourselves that too. From those 5 chapters we grew to almost 80 chapters?
In
friendship,
Sue Ellen & All Of Us At Hatquarters
A
Birthday Poem from Sue Ellen
APRIL
25
The
year was nineteen ninety-eight
And on one special day
A group of girlfriends joined their hands
And ventured out to play.
They
went to feast on scones and tea
On April twenty-fifth
They never could have guessed this thought
Would prove to be a gift!
Around
the lacy tablecloth
They sipped and munched and chatted
In shades of purple they were garbed
And each one was red hatted!
Drinking
tea and giggling
They had their best time, ever
When had they shared such fun before?
The answer? It was never!
So
they decided on the spot
They'd meet like this again.
They'd ask their other friends to come
And tell them where and when.
This
new "Red Hat Society"
(Yes, that's the name they chose)
Began that very afternoon
As everybody knows.
Now
friendship, fun and sisterhood
Are spreading 'round the world
'Cause nothing is as fun, it seems,
As playing with the girls!
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