Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Ragnar Relay developments......

The plans are developing for 'Ragnar Relay', 12 courageous participants, albeit crazy - are excited and started training for this event. A group of 12 will run the 182 miles from Woodstock to the Bronx - each covering 3 legs; approximately 15 miles, between 3 - 8 miles a leg. Sound interesting - join them...... gather your group -

Strength for Life will help defer your costs if your decide to fund raise for us.

From the Ragnar Relay website:
Ragnar was a 9th century Norse King. He was a pirate, a raider, a conqueror, an explorer, and a wild man. The tough, fearless, rugged attributes of this Norse King are shared by all who participate in a Ragnar Relay. In much the same way, a Ragnar Relay provides runners the freedom to roam, to explore - a free-spirited curiosity to get out there and experience outdoor adventure. And maybe even to conquer. And though tough or rugged may not perfectly describe you, these attributes become a goal - something to strive for.

In a Ragnar Relay the wild nature of this Norse King is embraced by many participants. Participants who aren't afraid to paint their van plaid, to bring along their own hair band, to join together in yelling as they cross the finish line. You may think that you are not one of them, but you are. Everyone has a wild side and nothing brings it out of you like a Ragnar Relay.

Long live the Ragnar in us all

www.ragnarrelay.com

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas to all.........................

Stay tuned for all new updates after the holiday season. In the meantime,
we wish you health, happiness and prosperity in 2010.


Debbie and Jacqui

Friday, December 18, 2009

Add a little "Simplicity" into your life...

Okay, we all know this is a completely CRAZY time of the year--gifts to buy, holiday's to host, snow storms to battle, so WHY do I pick this time to challenge my body and squeeze in something for myself???

Rosanne, owner/instructor of SIMPLICITY YOGA in Kings Park, answered that question for me last night after my very first Hot Vinyasa class. After putting my body into positions I never thought possible, finding muscles I never knew existed and being pushed to the point that my body was shaking while holding some of the poses, Rosanne lowered the lights, took us through some guided meditation and told us to thank ourselves for doing something positive and healthy-because WE CANNOT GIVE OF OURSELVES IF WE DO NOT GIVE TO OURSELVES--wow-what a profound statement!

I have heard, before, that we can't take care of others if we do not take care of ourselves-but it never quite hit me like it did when Rosanne said it last night. When you think of everything we give to others everyday -to our children, to our spouse, to other family members, to our friends, to our job and to everything and everybody attached to all that, is it "selfish" to give an hour to yourself?? No way--we all deserve it. So please, make it a point to "give" something to YOURSELF today, your body, mind and spirit will thank you for it!

With love and happiness, (and a lot of soreness!)
Debbie

Check out www.simplicityyogastudio.com it's worth a look and definitely worth a visit or two!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

A Holiday thought.....

Somehow, not only for Christmas
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing
Returns to you glad.


JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Let's look ahead!

2010 - here's is the initial plan:

Wellness Weekend in February
Comedy Show in March
Woodstock to the Bronx Relay in May
Sky Dive in July
Marine Marathon in October

How can you get involved?

Tentatively the February Wellness Weekend is for SPOHNC - Oral, Head and Neck Cancer patients/survivors. If you are interested or know someone who is - go to our website and complete the contact page with a notation to the weekend. If you have contacted us previously, we will be getting back to everyone in January when a date is set.

Comedy Show - COME! and support us in our first 2010 fund raiser! Want more involvement, help us to collect raffle prizes from local businesses - use all you contacts! Still want more: help us that night - selling raffles, setting up - or any other way you can think of.

Woodstock to the Bronx - Ragner Relay, NY - support our athletes OR gather a group of 6 - 12 and become a Strength for Life team! Through the Strength for Life website - under "Donate" - Become a Fundraiser - you can start a web page and ask for support from all your family and contacts. We will have further information and assist you getting started.

Sky Dive for Strength for Life - is that on your bucket list? Here's your opportunity to make it happen and help others at the same time. We are in the beginning stages of organizing this event. We will be happy to pay for your jump when you raise a $$$TBD for Strength for Life. Think about it!

Marine Corps Marathon October 31 in Arlington Virginia, we have contacted the organizers and ask that we become an official charity of the marathon. We already have a team of runners who want to participate and raise $$$ for Strength for Life. Support our athletes OR start training and run. We will be happy to pay the entrance fee and bear some cost of your participation for a $$$TBD. Something else to ponder and share!

And it is only December 13 - just think what we can add to this list. If you have any ideas- please share them with us. Debbie and I entertain everything that comes our way.

Thank you for you support! Keep coming back and checking in with us!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Stalemate!

Not a good word nor a place to be when you are trying to get ahead. We keep running into issues that force us to STOP! So many interested participants, all Debbie and I want is to get the classes going again and the places we were dependent on fall into some black hole. Are you kidding? We have corporate insurance, we each have personal professional insurance - what is the problem!!!!!!!!

At the church it seemed to be a matter of timing and having someone there to lock up after us; at the cancer center we are questioned about why we charge $0 and it is bureaucratic red tape; hospitals the same! We are now into plan F (maybe) - been through all the others...keep us in your prayers that the next plan is the right plan.

Sue Grafton writes novels by the alphabet "A is for Alibi.... I recently saw she is up to 'U" It took her many years - so I guess that was my message - perseverance is the answer!

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Wednesday night........

Feeling compelled to write a little something so you all keep checking in for the real news. I received an email from Susan B. Komen group to vote for their charity in the Chase Community Giving....hmmmmmmmmmm really?

Strength for Life so needs those votes, so needs a chance at $25,000, is that short sighted? Of course it is, Susan B. Komen needs $25,000 - a donation/grant/gift means so much to all of us. I wrote a return email- that I would cast a vote for them if they would cast a vote for Strength for Life...we are all in this together!

Our mission is about helping others struggling with the effects of cancer. Strength for Life is about promoting exercise to assist cancer patients/survivors feel their absolute best during their treatment and recovery. $25,000 is a huge amount to Strength for Life at this stage - a Long Island based organization with all volunteer services - $25000 goes directly to the promotion and education of exercise to cancer patients/survivors.

Chase allows 20 votes to different charities, I have cast quite a few for other organizations perhaps at the cost of our own - but they all deserve the opportunity, their missions are pure! As Debbie and I talk with more and more support groups, we realize how in sync we are with that one cause - to help others. We will all have our time to shine -nice for it to be sooner than later - but it is always about the journey. For us, it is about each individual we get to know, to share our information and assist their full recovery/transformation to fitness/wellness.