Indiana Here We Come

Leaving for Indiana tomorrow morning. Driving back the southern route. Hopefully we won't run into any of the nasty weather with toronados, flooding, etc. BUT, we will be leaving the record heat temperatures. Of course we are also going to the sticky, buggy heat!

We have the van all set up bed wise. This year we are taking the "work van without the extra seat. The other van had two back bench seats and we took one out and left the other in which did not give us much moving around room. This van will be so much better. Lots of room. Actually the bed if much better than hotel beds. Okay, the bathroom has a lot to be desired!!! Anyway off we go.

Having lunch with Joe and Jocie and dinner with Brandon so we will have our little one fix but we will miss them terribly. Of course they get postcards as we travel which they enjoy.

Got my work all ready for me to be gone. Some big meetings during that time but I think they will be okay. Everything is ready for them except for the "last minute" rush item. I have 5 ladies that are adding pieces of my duties that cannot wait to their duties which is so helpful and appreciated.

CFR is moving along. BUNCO will be the big push upon my return. Got a lot to do and getting the word out is the biggest!!!!

Well, signing off for now and promise to put some photos on when I return!!!!

BUNCO

Don't forget to sign up for our BUNCO event to be held August 8th. Scroll down and you will be able to download the invitation/registration.

Getting a little nervous...the event is 9 weeks away and I have 2 registrations. Please, please, please get those in which will help for planning of food, etc.

We have so many items to give away and great auction and raffle items. I need to take a photo and post them...I will try to do that very soon.

It's for a great cause...Casting for Recovery...Breast Cancer Survivors!!!!

VACATION

I am very excited this year...Ron and I are going back to Indiana to visit with family this July 4th. It will be good to catch up on all the happenings, the new little ones and additions to the family. To see how the area has changed and to catch up with old friends.

Jennifer got the biggest kick with the look on my face when we told her over the weekend that yes we were going and that I did not have a ticket reservation to fly back yet (We are driving to Indiana and Ron is taking a "drive about" on the way home). I think she described it as pained anxiety. However, not to worry, I now have my one way ticket from Indiana to Phoenix so no more anxiety for me!!!

Back to Ron's "drive about" this year. Believe it or not Ron does NOT like the really hot weather so tries to be gone up north (camping or picking berries) or out and about for a few weeks to avoid the HOT weather. So this year it will be his trip back from Indiana. We both enjoy this time...he gets to see places he wants to go see and I get to stay at home and veg...do some of the things I like to do by myself. We both get a vacation this way. I know some people think that is odd but believe me we enjoy the free time.

I will miss our little ones and will have to take lots and lots of photos to show everyone.

Shirley Johnson Retires from CFR-AZ

Since 2001, Shirley Johnson has served as a key volunteer with the Casting for Recovery program in Arizona. Not only was she instrumental in bringing the CFR program to the state, she has worked hard to build a base of support in the community and build a strong team of volunteers. The result: a program that, in this past month, has successfully conducted its seventh retreat for the women of Arizona. After this season’s retreat, Shirley has decided that it is time to retire from the role of Program Coordinator of the Arizona CFR program.

The Arizona program is one of the most financially responsible programs in the country. Plans are afoot for launching a second retreat in Arizona in the coming year, and the fundraising team has several events planned for the coming months. There’s a lot to do, but with a strong team in place it will get done!

It has been my privilege to work with Shirley and her shoes will be hard to fill. Her letter of retirement outlined many of the efforts that she’s undertaken over the past nine years and her love for the CFR mission makes this a particularly hard decision for her to make.

Moving forward, Kitty Wiemelt and I will work together with the national office as “co-coordinators”, but a plan for succession to appoint a new Program Coordinator is in process. There are many models for a successful CFR Program Coordinator, and Kate Fox at CFR will be happy to answer any questions about this role, or about other opportunities to work to sustain—and build—the Arizona CFR program. Please go to castingforrecovery.org to contact Kate.

Thank you Shirley for all that you have done and continue to do for Casting for Recovery...there are no words that can express all that you have accomplished.

Thank you!