CONGRATULATIONS

Having read my blogs in the past and if you are a FB friend you know how I feel about being a grandma and grandchildren.....they are absolutely the BEST!

I miss our two little ones (Joe and Joci) in the UK and love, love, love seeing and talking to them on skype. I do not know what I would do if I could not do that. They are changing so much and growing up so fast. And...what an adventure they are having so young in their life. I am so fortunate to have been close to and involved with them while here in the States...being a part of them. I love seeing their eyes when they first see you and know the love.

Brandon too is changing so fast. He got a rough/late start and is busy catching up and doing it quickly. He is such a joy and so loving. He is not stingy with his hugs and kisses either. His smile and his love is priceless and he has me all wrapped up.

Now, welcome to Brody, 10-17-11. How it all comes back when you hold them up against you. The smell, the soft skin and hair. The little noises and movements. The feeling that is just not expressable (is that a word?). Your heart is making adjustments, folding him in with Joe, Joci, and Brandon. He is now part of our group. And I can't wait for him to give those hugs and kisses.

I'm telling you....Grandkids are the BEST!!!!

SUCCESSFUL RETREAT

First of all, just to let everyone know I am having a bit of trouble making corrections to past posts. So I apologize for all the words that are not spelled correctly.

NOW, on to the retreat. New location, a bit small for the staff and events but it worked. Participants were in cabins and were able to bond with their room mates and each other. The food was absolutely GREAT. You would have thought we were in a 5 star restaurant and very healthy too.

The staff always work together to provide a wonderful experience, and this year was no exception to that. The give-a-ways provided by so many individuals, clubs and organizations were so appreciated.

Each year I attend I am amazed by the attitudes of these ladies that have had a major event change their life. They didn't ask for it, they didn't deserve it, it just happened. And, you don't have a lot of choices, but these ladies have fought back and created a new life with it. You know what it is...that big elephant in the room...Cancer. I've been there, am there, and you have to chose life and fight back.

All ages, all stages, all walks of life...a wonderful retreat for 14 wonderful ladies.

The First - Second CFR Retreat for Arizona

That does sound a bit confusing. However this is a big event for Arizona's Casting for Recovery. For those that don't know, CFR is a national non-profit Breast Cancer Survivor Recovery/Health/Wellness program providing no-cost weekend retreats to 14 women who are BC survivors. We have had as many as 81 women apply for these 14 positions and this year we were approved to provide two retreats which will give 28 women the opportunity to attend a retreat.

There are many changes for this first; new location (The Whispering Pines Resort in Pinetop, AZ), new staff in training, and new fishing area/location on Sunday.

It all begins Thursday the 13th with staff arriving and setting everything up and getting ready for our ladies to arrive Friday afternoon. And, of course it all ends on Sunday after the ladies have fished, enjoyed a wonderful luncheon put on by the White Mountain Fly Fishing Club members and head back to their homes.

I will report more after the retreat...can't wait to see and hear the expressions of joy from these ladies and the staff.