Well, the luau and slumber REDuation party were awesome. Unfortunately, we didn't wear hats, because we all had flowers in our hair. I think I left my battery charger at the lady's house, though, so I need to get that before I can download any pictures. I did get a couple of me in my red hat!

But the best part of the evening was not your typical REDuation, at all. (My ladies aren't really well-versed in RHS traditions, so they just did what would make their Queen happy.) And did they ever!

In honor of my entrance into the Senior Sisterhood, they are sending me up in a hot-air balloon! Those who read my January Bucket List blog might remember that was one of the items on my list. 

They actually intended to send me on the Saturday evening of our party, but the high winds caused us to reschedule. But that gave me a chance to ask some friends if they'd like to go up with me. Initially, it would have been just two of my Red Hat Ladies going with me in the basket (while the others cheered us from below). One of them who said yes my mother (big surprise--because she always told me if she ever won the raffle at our high-school alma mater for a ride for two, that I'd have to find someone else to go with me). With more time to plan, and a standing capacity of 6 in the basket, I've added my sister, my supervisor at work, and a fellow community action worker in Paint Lick. This is a long-time dream for most of us (except maybe my mom and sister), so I'm happy to be able to share the fulfillment of a dream with others.

Liftoff is now scheduled for Kentucky Derby Day (May 3), but it all depends on the weather. Keeping my fingers crossed, because how awesome would that be to be up there looking down at all the Derby back-yard barbecues, spring flowering trees, and all the limos leaving town after the big race? (We don't lift off until after 6 p.m., and it's a sunset flight, so I guess we'll be up there and get to see the sun begin to set. But I don't think we'll be up after dark. It's a one-hour flight.)

I'll be sure and share photos and the story in my blog, but Hatquarters also wants to hear more about it for one of their upcoming publications, so you'll read even more about it there.

Stay tuned! And I'll try to get my luau and Red Hat pictures up soon, plus I've been asked to share those with Hatquarters for upcoming Friday Broadcast, too. (I won't use the same for both.)  

TTFN!

Rita, a Red Hatted Queen Foxy Loxy