February 28th, 2010
My mother-in-law and I have been wanting to learn to line dance for a couple months now. So we finally got the boys out with us this Saturday night and we went to Shorty’s. They have free country dance lessons from 7-9pm every Saturday night.
Our class was laid back and a great time! We had about 6 different couples ranging from our age to our parent’s age. Our 3 teachers were amazing country dancers and were really helpful in explaining how to do the steps.
We started off learning the two-step, then moved to the country swing and finished up with a few line dances. Now don’t ask me to remember all of them, all of that spinning around left me a little dizzy. But we will definitely be going back for a few refresher courses. I totally recommend it as a fun night out and something different then the usual dinner/movie scenario.
Here we are laughing as we try to get back on count for the two-step.
Linda & Russ cutting a rug.
Linda doing some line dancing.
Giving the line dancing a little try.
Me with my fun in-laws.
My dancing partner.
Looking forward to another dancing night — maybe after this next round I’ll be able to remember all the steps!
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February 28th, 2010
Another one of my 2010 goals is to volunteer more. An opportunity came up at church to help with check-in for our Upward program. So each Saturday for the month of February I was lucky enough to get to hang out with 300+ kids. It was rewarding to interact with them and their parents each Saturday. I can’t even tell you how much fun I had hearing how their games went and what their favorite part of the game was.
No matter what I had going on in my world, listening to a little one beam about the goal they shot or how they remembered their cheer perfectly, made my day! And to know that our church is helping bring sports/cheer to some families that may not have otherwise been able to play is icing on the cake.
I look forward to being a bigger part of the program next year. Maybe one of these years I’ll try out coaching for the cheer teams! We’ll see how brave I get!
Here are a few photos of the games—aren’t the little cheerleaders super cute!?!
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February 23rd, 2010
I can’t believe it is already that time of year again! Time is whizzing by that’s for sure. This year Race for the Cure is May 8th. Now if you are a planner like me, that is just around the corner…but for you procrastinators it probably seems like eons from now. Either way, I am happy to report that Think Pink, Inc. will have a race team again this year.
So here it is: If you will be in Boise, have two working legs, feel like being inspired beyond words and you want to help out in a wonderful way, then join me at Race for a Cure. I promise you will not be disappointed.
To join the Think Pink team, click here.
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February 21st, 2010
My new favorite place,
Hobby Lobby. I seriously could spend days in this place and not see it all. Imagine if you combined Michaels, Joann Fabrics, Craft Warehouse and Paper Cottage all into one. Poof, Hobby Lobby it is!
I finally had a chance to get over to the new store on Eagle/Ustick. They are only open until 8pm and closed on Sundays, so it has been a bit tricky getting there. However, I lucked out and Saturday night Bridgette and I had the chance to savor in all the awesomeness this store is.
And to top it off, the store is AFFORDABLE. I know, who knew? Great things and great prices, now there is an idea. So if you are in the area, check it out, I think you will be very pleasantly surprised.
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February 19th, 2010
I just finished
The Hunger Games last night, I couldn’t put it down. I give this book an A. Loved it! It is a young adult book, so the reading is quick and easy. I fell in love with the characters immediately and the story progresses fast which kept me entertained the entire time.
Here is a quick synopsis of the book from Barnes & Noble:
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
I highly recommend this book. I hope to start the second of the series Catching Fire soon, I am sure it won’t disappoint.
Books Read in 2010
1. Bright Shiny Morning: B-
2. Three Cups of Tea: A
3. Have a Little Faith: A+
4. Hunger Games: A
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February 13th, 2010
I could not put this book down! I read the entire thing in 2 sittings – it would have been one had it not been 11pm when I started it. I had to pry it from my own hands to get sleep!
Have a Little Faith is an amazing book. I give it an A+. Not only is it a wonderfully smooth read, it brings to light how amazing the human spirit can be and how incredible the power of faith is in our lives.
We are all guilty of drifting and losing little bits of ourselves along the way. It was quite refreshing to read a book that addressed this and how we can learn from others to be present daily and truly trust in our faith.
I highly recommend this book. I will be re-reading it again along with my handy dandy highlighter…I promise, there is that much good stuff in there. Enjoy!
Books Read in 2010
1. Bright Shiny Morning: B-
2. Three Cups of Tea: A
3. Have a Little Faith: A+
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February 13th, 2010
I just finished Three Cups of Tea and I am pleased to give it an A. I loved this book for the raw heart it has and for the genuine compassion you feel Greg Mortenson has for those in need. It is incredible to think of the leap of faith he took with his passion and the absolute determination he has to see it through.
The book also does an excellent job of describing Afghanistan and Pakistan so that you feel you are there. The timeline of events are detailed and help guide you through the craziness of the world events that take place.
Three Cups of Tea left me feeling inspired to do more with my time and to share more of what I have to offer with those in need. I highly recommend you read this one.
Books Read in 2010:
1. Bright Shiny Morning
2. Three Cups of Tea
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February 7th, 2010
It has become a tradition that each year my Dad takes us to the Western Whitewater Association banquet. This year Dad, Papa, Uncle Burt, Uncle Warren, Bridgette & Cody and me and Trev got to go. There is always a nice dinner, full bar and TONS of raffle prizes. I have to say hands down that the prizes are both my sister and my favorite part of the night.
The first part of the night starts off with the chocolate truffle prize party. They only sell 100 truffles and there are 100 prizes. The fun of it is that they call your number on the truffle and you have 5 seconds to pick your prize. This year, our #s weren’t called until the very end so each prize we had eyed kept getting snaked from us. However, we still walked away with a gift card and salon products. Yay!
The major prizes come in at the end of the night. You can buy raffle tickets and then place them in different buckets for different prizes. This year there must have been at least 100 things you could win. And our table came home with 10 of them!
The sad part of this story is that 4 of those went to my sister, 4 to my Dad and 2 to my Papa….ZERO to the Caster clan. Boo.
I did get super excited when they announced to check under your chairs for a winner sticker — and I had it! However, this is what I won:
Our silly little centerpiece. It doesn’t quite seem to measure up to Bridgette’s super fly hot pink fishing pole and hour massage she won.
I think she must have a secret technique to how she folds her entries…maybe next year will be my year! Thanks Dad for a fun night!
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February 6th, 2010
Friday night our we were invited to a surprise birthday party for our friend Kit. Her husband organized the ENTIRE thing himself, from the super cute invitations, to the venue, to the food. Ryan deserves an award for most thoughtful hubby.
And to top it off, Kit had NO idea! Look at her face, super surprised to find us all at
Berryhill.
We had a great time catching up with everyone and celebrating Kit for the super fun woman that she is. Cheers to you Kit!
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