Dear Red Hatters,

Recently, my husband and I babysat with our granddaughters for five days, while our daughter and her husband spent some time away together. It was an intense experience; I had vastly underestimated how tiring it is to care for two pre-schoolers, 24 hours a day. But, actually, that was the least difficult part of it. While the parents were gone, circumstances required that we put their 13-year-old chocolate lab down. Waiting was not an option. After receiving their verbal permission, we did what mercy required – and re-experienced the pain of losing our own beloved dog, just 2 months ago.

So I have been prompted to sit and ponder anew the difficulty of accepting loss in this life. I'm not trying to lecture or cheerlead here, but do you know what? In the middle of the tears I was able to offer prayers of thanks that I had that little guy in my life at all – and for such a good, long time. What a gift he was! How much he taught me about life: living in the moment, enjoying each new day, getting over unpleasant experiences in a hurry, forgiveness, and love. Because of him, I met and talked with hundreds of people I never would have known. (The conversation usually began with a stranger asking "What kind of dog is that?") Sometimes this led to a short, pleasant chat; sometimes it led to far more.

Our new puppy, Ollie, has not replaced Frosty. No dog could. But he has begun carving out his own place in our hearts. He's going to be a great companion for (we hope) the next dozen years or so. We're grateful that he found us.

Recently, a stranger asked me, "What kind of dog is that?" Life goes on.

In friendship,
Sue Ellen and Debra, and all of us at Hatquarters

A Lasting Memory
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Partying On a Secret Beach?
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Party Plans
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Quote of the Week!
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New and renewing Queens and Supporting Members will receive, effective March 1, 2010, updated Membership materials.

For this year, we have included the following Queen or Supporting Member essentials:

• For the Queen - Your official RHS chapter charter –- this collectible charter gives you permission to play as a chapter, and has a great new look each year!
• A special keepsake from Hatquarters – we value your support of the Red Hat Society and extend our thanks with an exclusive gift. This gift is available only as a gift with Membership.
• The Getting Started page – a handy reference guide to getting started Red Hatting and an update on cool new RHS website features.
• A personalized Red Hat Society Membership card – This collectible newly designed card enables you to show your pride of Membership and access all of your benefits and services.
• New Handbooks – One for Queens and one for Supporting Members! These are comprehensive guides to the Red Hat Society.
• Registration cards – Exclusively for Queens - To help sign up your future chapterettes who prefer not to sign up online.
• Other surprises – just for fun! Enjoy!

Do you remember last April Fool's Day? Hatquarters sent out an announcement that the RHS was changing its colors! We got a swift reaction from the membership, giving us the opportunity to send a second message: "April Fool!"

It was fun, but this year we're suggesting that it might be fun for Red and Pink Hatters to take a turn wearing each other's colors for a day. April 1 falls on a Thursday this year. You've got time to plan, if this sounds like fun to you. If your chapter happens to have a gathering on that day, you'll enjoy confusing everybody. Please send us your pictures and stories to stories@redhatsociety.com

THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER TO WIN. This opportunity ends March 31, 2010! Two lucky winners will each win a FREE full registration including the extra day package (a $550 value) to the 2010 Brims by the Bay International Convention in San Diego, California! Click here for more information.

For Exclusive RHS Packages, click here! Thank you for your support! To order, log in to the website, or call Hatquarters at 1-866-FUN-AT50 (1-866-386-2850, toll free within U.S.) or 714-738-0001.

Join us on Sunday, April 25th for RHS Day 2010, our 12th Birthday! We're celebrating at Knott's Berry Farm; due to overwhelming demand, we've moved our party to the biggest facility inside the park, the Boardwalk Ballroom! Seating is still limited, however, and this event is sure to sell out soon, so sign up today!

EQM Sue Ellen Cooper and Lady Bug Debra Granich will be in attendance, and even Snoopy will be making an appearance! The price will be $45 per Hatter, which includes admission to the theme park with unlimited use of rides (Park Hours: 10AM-7PM) and a private, RHS exclusive luncheon celebration, entertainment, games, drawings for great prizes and camaraderie with your RHS sisters! The RHS Celebration is from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM, with lunch served from 12:00-2:00 PM.

Our delicious lunch buffet will be served by Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant! Since June 1934, locals and tourists alike have been stopping by the restaurant for Cordelia's famous fried chicken. In fact, the current menu still features the classic dishes of famous fried chicken, biscuits, and boysenberry pie that drew crowds from the very beginning! It's the perfect mouth-watering meal to celebrate our special day! Come out and join us!

Click here to get more information about this fantastic event! There are less than 50 available spots for this event, so sign up today!

On April 25, 1998, ten women dressed in royal purple and wearing red hats gathered for tea. The Red Hat Society was born on that lovely spring day, and ever since, April 25th has been the official Red Hat Society Day!

Chapters all over the world enjoying celebrating RHS Day with grand parties, exceptional outings, and just having as much fun as they possibly can. We'd love to know what all of our lovely Hatters have planned for their own local RHS Day celebrations! Tell us your plans by sending an email to Stories@redhatsociety.com!

This just in! New talent and new activities announced for the Brims by the Bay convention! You gotta be there!

Get ready to party in your PJs! We've added our popular pajama breakfast to the convention schedule! Join us for breakfast in your PJs or casual regalia and let your fun side show!

And while the One Day packages are sold out, there are still some Main & Full Convention registrations available. And as we announce new talent and activities these packages are sure to sell out too! So register today !

All attendees who register for the "Brims by the Bay" Convention between January 1 – March 31, 2010 will receive a FREE 10-inch Logo Beach Ball to sport at the event–while supplies last. It's the perfect way to show off your RHS spirit around the bay!

Don't let this fabulous opportunity bounce away! This is a limited time offer, so register for "Brims By the Bay"– our only event for 2010 –and get ready to play !

(From the MarApr10 issue of The Tea House Times, used by permission) -- Exploring the world of tea is a fascinating adventure and one that begins with the cultivation and harvest of the plant itself. It may surprise many to learn that all tea comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. Where it is grown and how it is processed determines the type of tea. Both the Chinese tea plant and its cousin, the wild Assam tea plant, which was discovered growing in India's Upper Assam region in the nineteenth century are Camellia sinensis, albeit different varieties of the same genus. The Assam plant is a subspecies called Camellia assamica. Learn more about tea or log-in at our website for Free access to the latest issue of The Tea House Times, party games and more: www.TheTeaHouseTimes.com