The Annual Tampa Bay Cruise is shaping up to be a smashing success! Today we are launching a special challenge to make it even more fun.
Somebody (perhaps even two somebodies) will get their cruise for FREE! Keep reading…

Tickets for this cruise went on sale October 16. Here’s the way to get your money cheerfully refunded during the cruise.
Each of these items will get you one entry into the drawing for a FREE ticket.

1. Order your ticket(s). Each person gets one entry.
2. Pay by December 4th for an extra entry.

The Annual Team Tampa Bay Cruise is on the horizon! This is an event that is focused on fun. It's a wonderful opportunity to bring friends and family to spend a few hours with some of the nicest people in Florida - Team Tampa Bay. Please send your intentions right away, so we can reserve the right amount of space. Tickets go on sale October 16.

Hereʼs a heads-up on the planning details so far:

Date: Sunday, January 11, 2009 New Yearʼs Kickoff Party!
Boarding at noon
Price: Adults $35 Children 4 - 12 $25 (includes tax & gratuity)
A cash bar will be available.

This weekend was exciting, informative, challenging and fun! Thanks to the entire Vitalife Fitness staff for setting it up and all the other things they do so remarkably well.
The ropes course was new for me and most of the other participants. But now that we’re done, I’ve got to say I can’t wait to go again!

Some miles are longer than others. You know, that uphill in the rain thing? If you walk a mile uphill in the rain it is longer than a mile on a flat surface in the cool breeze. Or so it seems.
This week I was blessed with one of those long miles. It will never show in my stats, but it was definitely longer than the 1.1 miles that my iPod counted!

My neighbor, Bruce, told me how wonderful NC Essentials Omega 3 is. I didn't want to take them because of the size. He told about having so much more energy that I just knew I had to try. After a few months of taking 1 a day, I thought it might be helping a little. Then something else came up.

Here's a dashing lady - Brenda! I just know she's dashing because she has a teenager, a tween, and a preschooler living at home. And they are all boys! Children do keep one young, don't you think?
Brenda agrees with me that this buddy challenge has been a great motivator. When we're tempted to call it off for the night, we think of each other and get back up to walk a few more minutes. Thanks, buddy, for walking and for spurring me on.

Thanks for reading. We're probably more alike than we ever knew...

What is your favorite color? red
What is your favorite dessert? I only get one? Ice cream What is your dream car?
Lots of steel, low maintenance, high fuel efficiency, good crash tests and paid for!
What is your most important Fitness Goal? Lose inches

What is the most interesting part of the VitaLife Fitness Center? The people. I really enjoy reading about them and especially finding out that we are alike in some way.

Exultant, jubilant, ecstatic, joyous, jovial, with laughter. That sounds about right. My Dad called this morning to tell me the meaning of “Merry Christmas” in his dictionary. This part was “Merry”. The most excited, laughing, joy of all. “Christmas,” Dad said, “is Christ for the masses.” (That’s not exactly what my dictionary says, but I was hooked.)

Friends say Tim must be very excited. The “thing I do best” has become the “thing I cannot do”. Of course I’m talking about talking. It’s been 8 days since I lost my voice. And I miss it bunches.

Who knew the benefits of walking could include more time on the Xbox?

Just the other day our youngest asked one of the most unexpected questions. "Can we go for my walk, now?"

"Huh?" Of course I was listening! At first I couldn't believe my ears. In the weeks that Tim and I have encouraged him to walk with us, this was the first time he'd turned the tables and asked me to walk with him.

Mark your calenders, please. Sunday, December 9th is the day for the Annual Tampa Bay Christmas Cruise. Join your central Florida friends for this yummy 2 hour brunch. (Proposed menu attached.)

We'll board the Yacht Starship II beginning at noon. The ship sails at 12:30 and returns at 2:30. Cost is just $31 per person ($25 for ages 4 - 12). Parking is expected to be $2 per vehicle.

This week I've finally learned how to successfully use more than one sensor per iPod. When I'm starting a workout I go to Nike+iPod>Settings>Sensor>Link. It tells me it is already linked, but if I'd like to link to another sensor push this button. Then it wants me to walk around to 'help' it find my sensor. Then it works! And when I download, it goes to me, not to my children! I'm so excited! Go Dolls!

One of the best gifts I ever received on Mother's Day turned 21 years old today. She is adorable and continues to give by her attitude and choices.
One day (last week or 10 years ago, I'm not really sure!) she said those magic words that thrilled my heart in places I didn't know existed: "When I grow up, I want to be a Mom!" (No, not this year - I'll keep you posted.)
Each of our children is such a treasure, indeed, being a Mom is better than gold!

Last month I got a new job. I’m a freelance data entry department. The person who did this work before me was a pioneer, cutting down jungles to make a path. I’m finding short cuts and dodging vicious animals who’d like to have me for lunch!

Seen on the wall at an office I frequent is this by Mary Anne Radmacher:

some days there aren't any trumpets...just lots of dragons. courage doesn't always roar. sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "i will try again tomorrow."