Joeseph 3-17-10

Joe/Grandpa/Grandma: Spring break so grandma took off work and the three of us spent a wonderful day together. As you can tell by the photos there was ice cream, sleeping/resting, using Google Earth to travel around, fishing, shopping, the ZOO, checking out Town Lake's rushing water and a beer (root) at the bar at Dirtwater Springs. Needless to say when I left for work this morning Joe was still asleep. I believe even though he kept saying he was not really tired...he really was tired!

The best was getting Joe his shark tooth necklace at the Zoo which came with 5 other different shark teeth. He now has them all memorized and ready to show and tell! They have been studying sharks at school and I had given him one on a black necklace cord that I had picked up from a garage sale and he could not find it to take to school. So he and grandpa, while googling earth also looked up where you could buy shark teeth and low and behold...the Zoo!!! Ron and I had not been to the Zoo for a long time so it was kind of nice to go, however Spring Break...WOW...lots of kids, groups, grandparents, moms!!!!!!

Joe is growing up so fast and gave us a wealth of information he has learned at school. I was amazed at how much he knows about animals and see why he still wants to be a Vet when he grows up. And when he's quiet you know he is taking in everything around him. I love that he still says I love you and hugs and kisses and says thank you and please, etc. etc. He is such a joy.

Me, I'm tired too...I wish I could have slept in!!!

HEARTS

The generosity given to Casting for Recovery and Breast Cancer Survivors from the Fly Fishing Community is unbelievable and wonderful!!!!!!!!

EVENTS

Mark your calendars and check back for more information:

Saturday, 3/6/10: Bass Pro Shop spring Fishing Classic

Saturday/Sunday, 3/27-28/10: AZ Game & Fish Dept. Expo at Ben Avery Shooting Facility

Sunday, 4/25/10: Desert Sportsmen's In-Store Expo, SW corner of Scottsdale Rd at Gold Dust...just south of shea blvd.

Saturday, 5/1/10: Rise for Recovery Bike Run ... stay tuned for more details soon

Sunday, 8/8/10: BUNCO for CFR at Mesa Hilton's Pavo Room ... stay tuned for more details

Saturday, 10/2/10: First Release ... Wine Tasting Event ... stay tuned for more details

81

...women have signed up to date for the Arizona Casting for Recovery retreat this year. 81!!!!! that is so wonderful in so many ways but also so sad. We can only have 14 survivors at our retreats so that leaves 67 ladies that won't be able to attend...that's very sad.

Even if they found a cure today, this very minute, think how many survivors are out there that need the support and recovery guidance...we will always be out there!!

Next year we will have two retreats...May and September...and that will allow 28 women to have this wonderful experience...which is great! We will continue to work toward more and more retreats so that more and more women will have this opportunity.

That said, we need to GROW...volunteers and funds. We are currently looking for someone to be our "contact" person(s). Be the one that rallies the troops when needed...keeps everyone in the cirlce of "know" as to happenings, etc. ...be that "contact" for the team. Please let me know if you can help us.

Also, keep going to our website, www.castingforrecovery.org They are constantly updating information, etc. and it has really grown as well.

Thank you all for your interest, consideration and support!!!

SUCCESS

OMG...the International Sportsmen Expo was a HUGE success. Our booth was three rows from the pond where they were having fly casting displays and contests. We met soooooooo many wonderful peope from such a wide variety of sports. And of course the fly fishing community was there. Our booth must have become known as the "HUG" booth...I know everyone knew where the "pink" ladies were located!!!

It is just amazing how many people are and have been touched by Breast Cancer. The weekend was a lot about hope. I am 7 years out. Anyone over 7 years is my hope...AND...I am hope for anyone under 7 years...and of course there were tears and hugs!

I got a lot of stuff for our retreat and events coming up and am still amazed by the generosity of so many. Reminds me of attending the "Pink Out" at Skyline High School last month. All you hear about are the "bad" teens. Let me tell you...that night I met a lot of "wonderful" teens.

I am a talker and really don't know too many strangers. I have to leave you with this one happening. As we were leaving Friday night I ran into one of the security guards. Very nice man. I asked if he had seen the "Night at the Museum" movie...about how many "mounted" animals were in the building and I hoped there weren't too many noises. We both had a big laugh...however....I sure would not have wanted to be there all night by myself with all of those animals!!!!!

ISE

International Sportsmen Expo...February 26-27-28, 2010...and Casting for Recovery has a booth/display!!!!!

Our display is ready to go and we are VERY excited about being there this year. Outreach for CFR will be huge let along meeting many, many wonderfull people who are or will become friends of CFR.

Come out and see us...Cardinals Stadium...I will post some photos next week!!!

TWO in 2011

APPROVED!!!!!
Arizona Casting for Recovery will have TWO retreats in 2011. One in May and one in September. Instead of only 14 women, we will be able to take 28 women to Greer for a retreat!!!

This is a big step. More staff trained, more supplies, more paperwork, more, more, more BUT more importantly...more participants!!!!!!

So, we need to get busy, not just with more activities but more fundraising!!!! Please let me know if you want to help CFR in anyway...you would be surprised what you had to offer and didn't even know it!!!!