Christmas Is Almost Here

The cookies are baked, the tree is decorated and all is right with the world. Ha! Here comes the last minute scurrying around, the crazed looks on peoples faces, the house is a wreck and chaos reigns supreme! Okay, okay, let's slow down and get a little reality check. Christmas is 7 days away, you still have time to finish up all the odds and ends, and take a little time for yourself. Maybe get that workout in at the Summit to help you destress. We even have things for sale that would make great stocking stuffers...how about a new swim cap or goggles? We have great Nordic walking poles and pedometers as well for that hard to buy for person. Whatever you have left to do, don't let it stress you out or get you down, get that extra workout in, take time for a cup of tea, sit down and enjoy the quiet and look at the Christmas tree and have a great Holiday! Merry Christmas every one!!

International Nurses Day

Hey everybody, guess what today is?? Today is International Nurses Day! In January of 1974 it was decided that May 12 would be declared International Nurses Day, May 12 was chosen as it is the anniversary of the birthday of Florence Nightingale, considered the founder of modern nursing. So all you Doctors out there, and everyone that has been touched in your life by a nurse in some way or another, be sure to say "thank you" for all you do. Sometimes a nurses job is totally thankless and unnoticed whether they are a RN, LPN, or a CNA, but without them the Doctors could not do the jobs that they do. Be sure and say thank you and have a great day!!

Happy Spring!

So it is here at last! The first day of Spring 2011 has finally arrived, yeah!!! Of course, in true Montana fashion it is snowing, oh goody. Oh well, it is Spring, we will be gardening soon, we will be outside enjoying the warm weather and sunshine. Yes, I am an eternal optimist, my cup is half full at all times.

I just want to wish you all Happy Spring and have a great day! Spring really is here!

Thought for the Day

I decided I would like to leave you with a thought for the day to get the weekend started, so here goes.

"We can not change our past.
We can not change the fact that people act in a certain way.
We can not change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have,
and that is our attitude." Charles Swindoll

Do have a great weekend, stay warm, and keep smiling.

Spring is Right Around the Corner

It's nasty cold outside, snowing, blowing, drifting argghh!!! But, it is warm here inside the Summit! Come in to a warm safe place for running, exercising, swimming and generally just having fun , meet some old friends and make some new ones. Spring will be here soon, I promise. Matter of fact, Spring is only 24 days away!! Woo Hoo!!!

Spring...It's right around the corner

Ok, so maybe I'm jumping the gun but with all the gray skies, cold weather and general gloom there has to be a little shining light on the horizon. I found mine yesterday, I looked out my kitchen window and there on my pussywillow bush were catkins. Now, it is not fully covered but it is a start.

With that being said it must be time to get into Spring training. It's time to get those gardening muscles tuned up, digging, hoeing, planting all the fun stuff! It's never too early or too late to get started, there can always be a "Day 1", that's what I tell myself anyway, don't give up.

If you need a little morale boost don't despair. Not everybody is a size 5, nor would we all want to be. You need to embrace yourself, all your curves and chubbiness, faults and failures. Underneath all that is a really good person, I'm sure of it! If you are ready to try and shed a few pounds for whatever reason don't be intimidated, take that first step, you can do it and remember that"Hope Springs Eternal".

Happy Thanksgiving

It is that time of year to reflect on our many blessings and give thanks for those special gifts. I want to give thanks for my family, my husband, daughters, my wonderful grandson, my mom, my sisters and brother and my in-laws as well. I also want to give thanks for a great job and all of you special Summit members and employees. You make it easy to come to work every day even though I get up extremely early! I thank you all and hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving and holiday season.

Autumnal Equinox

Well, it's official, Fall is here! I love the crisp days, blue skies, fall leaves, the colors. I love to decorate for Fall, smell the smells ...it is my favorite time of the year! I always feel reflective this time of year, though. What have I accomplished? How did my garden do? Am I ready for Winter? Probably Not!

It has been so nice to see so many of you back that I missed all Summer. I love to hear what you've been up to, what adventures you have done, where did you go for vacation? Now it's time to get back at it, hit the treadmills, ellipticals, classes. Zumba or bellydancing anyone??

Anyway, we are supposed to have a great weekend so get out there and enjoy this beautiful weekend, see you Monday!!

Vacation's Over

Well, here it is vacation is over, I had a wonderful relaxing week off. Did some fishing, played in my garden, visited my mom. My brother-in-law and his wife came to visit and we had a great time. Now it's back to reality.

Words of Wisdom

In the words of Mike, advice for your weekend activities. "If you are hiking, biking, jogging or whatever in bear country, make sure you have someone slower behind you." Thanks for the words of wisdom. In all seriousness, though, be careful when you are out this weekend. We have so much beautiful country around us here, so many things to do. Fishing, hiking, camping, boating, cycling, etc...the list goes on and on. Use common sense and good judgement when you are out and about this weekend. Have a great time and I will see you all again on Monday!

Thought for the Day

"Just living is not enough...One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower"--Hans Christian Andersen

After Workout Smoothie

I just found a great recipe in today's paper for an after workout smoothie. After a hard workout our bodies crave protein and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates replenish your supply of glycogen, which is the fuel stored in your muscles that powers physical activity. Protein helps repair your muscles after strenuous activity. There are a lot of protein powders on the market that you can help replenish after your workout, but, this recipe calls for creamy tofu. Interesting??
Blueberry-Pomegranate Protein Smoothie
8ounces extra soft silken tofu
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup pomegranate juice
1 medium ripe banana, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 to 2 tablespoons of honey, or to taste
1 tablespoon toasted wheat germ (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a blender unti smooth and creamy. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 6 hours.
241 calories, 29 calories from fat, 0 cholesterol, 49 g carbohydrates, 7 g protein, 4 g fiber, 16 mg sodium

Merry Christmas

As I stand here this Christmas Eve morning, I'm reflecting over the past year. I can't believe the year is coming to a close, time truly does fly when you're having fun. This is a time amidst all the hustle and bustle to take a moment and count your blessings. Allow me to share with you, I have a wonderful husband whom I just celebrated our 30th Anniversary with, two beautiful daughters and the most special little grandson in the world who loves his Grandma "so much". I also count in my blessings my Summit "family". Not only those I work with but all "my" special members I get to see and spend time with, I've gotten so close with so many of you I feel you are part of my family. I hope you all have a blessed Holiday Season as well as good tidings for the upcoming New Year. Merry Christmas my friends.

Computer Issues, I'm Back

Have you missed me? I hope so 'cuz it's been awhile. A few computer issues that left us with 2 computers to do 50 million things. Yikes! Anyway, we have a new computer I have been re-introduced and only lost a few things. Onward and upward! Did you realize that Christmas is next week? How did that happen? Are you ready, is your shopping done? What a hectic time of year. It is real easy to get caught up in the chaos so we need to step back, take a breath, relax and try to enjoy the Season. Oh ya, don't forget to come work out at the Summit, it's a great stress reducer.

Happy Thanksgiving

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is upon us. We've made it to the culmination of the harvest season and it's time to reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. Many of you are traveling to be with family and friends, some farther than others. However far you may be going, whether it is across town or across the country, travel safely, eat way too much turkey and remember to count your blessings, oh ya, have fun!

Veterans Day

I'd like to take a moment to say "thank you" to all our Veterans on this Veterans Day. Too many days of the year go by without acknowledging the people that have made this great country what it is today. People that put their lives on the line, those that made the ultimate sacrifice, and those that are still out there today fighting for our freedom and the rights and privileges that we have. I am an American, I am proud to be an American and I still think this nation is the greatest in the world, despite some of the issues that are going on now. Sooo, without getting up on a soap box, which I could real easy, I simply and sincerely from the bottom of my heart want to say thank you to all the Veterans. Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Halloween

Every one has a kid inside them that loves Halloween! It's fun to dress up, be silly, eat too much, be scary and generally make the day a fun festive occassion. But, where did Halloween get it's start? Halloween has it's origins in the ancient festival called Samhain which is derived from Old Irish and roughly translates to "summers end". Samhain celebrates the end of the "lighter half" of the year and the beginning of the "darker half" and is sometimes referred to as the "Celtic New Year". Whatever Halloween means to you, celebrate, enjoy, be thankful for friends and family and please be safe. From me to you, Happy Halloween!!

More Trivia Challenges

Alright, here's the deal, we did the trivia challenge last week and got a winner. My question was: who started the Parisi Speed School and when was it started. The answer to this is: Bill Parisi started it in 1992--Way to go Becca!

Today's Trivia Challenge is as follows: What year did the Summit first open, and if you're really good, what month and day??

Remember, come to me, Robyn, with the correct answer and I have some really nice water bottles to give away. Have a great day!

Win A Prize Trivia Challenge

Alright all you happy little bloggers, I have a challenge for you. We have some really nice water bottles that I was told I can give away. Sooo, I am going to ask you a trivia question, you have to come to Me, Robyn, with the answer. If you are correct you will get one of the water bottles. Help me with this project and I'll see what I can get for future challenges. Your first question is:

Who started the Parisi Speed School and in what year??

Happy Monday

Wow! What a morning, I think everyone was inspired! By 5:30 this morning the parking lot was full. I just wanted to take a minute and say"way to go", keep up the good work. Have a great day!