Kentucky Derby Party in FL

It has become the custom for our Bible study group to get together in person twice a year, which works well for everyone.  This year we had a Kentucky Derby Party.  

           (Click on any photo for an enlargement.)

Rita, our hostess, had done some shopping so the girls got busy.

We started out making these tame "church lady" hats.  I had been online and studied the Derby hats - they were BIG and WILD.  So..... we shifted gears.

Busy, busy bees. 
You know how gals are when they get going on a project.

Coming right along, Rita and MaryMay are finished.

Admiring each other's work.  Carol looks like she's ready.

Ah, ha, we are proud of our creations.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the guys did chat a bit and 

checked on the TV to be sure we didn't miss the race.

  Rita and Alan Etherington, our gracious hosts. 

Carol, MaryMay, Rita, Deborah, Pat

Pat's hubby, Rick Necklan, liked Pat's Derby hat, as did I!

The hat below was my favorite. 
Pat started out with a rather ho-hum conservative  hat. 

 A few minutes later, I looked across the table and simply burst out laughing.  As you can see below, Pat got into the spirit.

Rita, Alan, Carol, Lou, Rick, Pat, Gary, MaryMay, Deborah and Dave

 

Rita and Alan, thank you for your hospitality.

Oh, who won the Kentucky Derby?   Golden Tempo 
Try this link:
Hope this will let you see the historic finish.

Bible Study Via Zoom

In 2020, we were concerned about missing our Bible study during the Pandemic.  Our leader, Rita Etherington, figured out how to use Zoom. 

It worked so well that we have continued since 2020.

(Click on each photo for an enlargement)

2020 May
Gary brings me (MaryMay) from VA to FL in January.  He flies home and does taxes.  In the spring he flies down to rest and drives us back to VA.

2022 February

One reason this works well for our study, is that Gary can "be there" for all our lessons, even though he's in VA.

2021 June

When we're both in VA  for the summer, we can still participate.  Also, when Rita and Alan are up North for the summer, we can still have our lesson.

2023 May

Gloria Walker is active in the group and we kid her because she uses an Avatar..... I think it's so she won't have to do her hair! 

2025 January

 Ruthie and Paul Watkins joined us in the group.

2025 February

2026 January

Thank you, Rita for your leadership.

Gary is in FL in January and May so that's the time for our "in person" parties!  (Read about our Derby Party on a later blog post.)

My Red Hat Days - Hotsie Totsies Part 3

When I first moved to Savanna Club in 2010, I wanted to join the large Red Hat group, the Hotsie Totsies.  But they had a limit of 100 members and there was no space for me.

In the meantime, I decided to join the little group, the Hattitudes, with 25 members. 

When there was an opening in the Hotsie Totsie's, I had gotten to know all the Hattitudes.  So, I decided to participate in them both!  

In a practical sense, I would get double use of my red and purple clothes!

Besides, it was a good excuse to shop!

It was surprising how my collection of Red Hats grew.  None of them were bought from a regular store.  The thrift shopping in the area of Port St. Lucie, FL is a fun and satisfying hobby.

The Hotsie Totsies had a week-long cruise and I decided to go with "the Lindas."  Above you can see the outfits all laid out ready to pack.

Elaine Simms, MaryMay Angelil, Linda Houlihan, and Linda Ricippo

Yes, there we were, the Hotsie Totsies cruising.

It was fun on the ship because we wore our Red Hat attire every day.  After a few days, people in the elevators started asking,  "What's going on?"  That was our chance to share our basic purpose:

The Red Hats is a frivolous attitude to growing older.

 The phrase, "Live, Love, Laugh" applies and its mission is to enrich the lives of women across the globe through fun and fellowship. 

One of my favorite "activities" is a Red Hat exchange.  You bring in some clothes, purses, or jewelry that you're not using.  We put them all out on tables and just go pick some things you would like.

The Hotsie Totsie's now meet in the evenings and I'm not crazy about driving in the dark.  Maybe I'll get brave next winter.

The meetings I enjoy most are ones where we have an activity AND  a meal.  We visit museums, parks, go to plays, and anything else people conjure up. 

In any event, I do enjoy the camaraderie of my Red Hat Sisters.

My Redhat Days - The Ladies Part 2

Note: Click on any photo for an enlargement.

Here are some shots of my dear Red Hat sisters.  What fun years we have had together.

   
Linda Houlihan, Linda Ricippo and I were thrift shopping friends. 
I would say,  "I'm going out with 'the Lindas' today!"

    

  

  

   

   

    

  

 

 

    

 

   

  

 

 

      

  

         

And then there was the "Emailer" of the group!