Hi Friends,
 
"Happy Whatever Day It Is..."
 
It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just days away and then Christmas is following close behind.  Sometimes it can be a challenge to feel happy and excited about this time of year thinking about all of the planning and preparation that goes into making the holidays joyous and memorable for our loved ones. 
 
As a parent it is natural to put our needs last on our priority list, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It's as if we feel guilty to think that we may need some time for ourselves to take care of our bodies by eating healthy, making time for exercise, and getting adequate rest.  However, it is quite the opposite. If we neglect our physical (and emotional) needs, our bodies have no other choice than to completely shut down, making us completely useless and unable to do anything. Hmmmm....how joyous and memorable would the holidays be for our loved ones now?
 
My mother reminded me constantly to slow down and make time for myself because if I didn't, I would be unable to care for my three babies that are counting on me and wanting me to be around for a while. It REALLY is important and a very "unselfish" thing to do.
 
As we head into these next couple months I would like to encourage you to PLEASE:
 
* Start the day with a healthy choice of food/beverage to give your body the fuel it needs to tackle your mile high to do list.
 
* Engage in some sort of physical activity. It is not only good for your body but also helps clear your mind and improve your mood.
 
* Get to bed at a reasonable time, it can wait...it'll be there tomorrow. :)
 
*  Take time each day to take care of YOU. Whether it be a short walk around the block, sit down with a good book, or listen to your favorite song singing and dancing around the house (my kids love when I do this one) ;) .
 
* Enjoy yourself, take a deep breath, take it slow and remember to enjoy the little things along the way. It will be over before you know it.
 
I'm writing this and giggling to myself knowing that I am completely guilty of all of the above, but now deciding to make a conscious effort to practice what I preach!
 
WE CAN do this! Good luck, and have fun!
 
[Thank you, Mom. I promise to try my best to take care of ME! XO]

Hi Friends,
 
"Happy Fall, and Happy Whatever Day It Is...."
 
The funny thing about this "Fall Blog" is that I am writing it on a day when the temperature outside is a "feels like temp" of 100 degrees, not very Fall-like at all. When you live in Florida, the change of seasons has to be a state of mind more than an outdoors experience. My girls always express their love for this time of year, fall scented candles, football games, planning festive holiday activities etc. -- all take place shortly after the start of school. This time of year makes me think of family, friends, and OMG the dreaded extra eating, drinking, and being merry that seems to go hand in hand. Don't worry though, we CAN rise above and take back control of the outcome that we are faced with at the beginning of the New Year reflecting back and saying to ourselves, "Oh dear, what have I done?" We then panic - scrambling and searching for the best diet and exercise program that can whip us back into shape (the shape we were pre-holidays).  
 
LET’S STOP THE MADNESS BEFORE IT STARTS.
 
Being healthy should be a way of life and not an up and down struggle that we all seem to put ourselves through. The crazy thing is that it really can be easy and even fun to live a healthy lifestyle by simply making better choices on how to treat our bodies daily. So are you ready for the BIG SECRET?
 
Move your body daily  ~  Eat to nourish your body  ~  Keep a positive attitude
 
Seems easy enough… However, it is equally important to have support and encouragement from loved ones and others with the same views and goals as you.  
 
I would like to be that person to inspire and motivate you daily, or as often as you need it. I am always a "click" or phone call away. Really!  :)
 
Enjoy this season, no matter where you live. Thanks for checking in, I would love to hear from you. 

Rhonda

SpinGym® Update: I have many SpinGyms in different colors available. If you know someone you think would benefit from one, please send them to my website. I offer free shipping and the lowest price around. It’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping. It's a terrific gift!

Hello Friends,

"Happy Whatever Day It Is When You Read This...."  Welcome to my second blog!

Since my last Blog, back in January, so many life-changing events have happened in my life. Some were heartbreaking and challenging and others were happy, exciting, and absolutely thrilling!

The biggest challenge and heartbreaking of them all was the unexpected death of my mom. I wrote my first blog January 29th of this year, she read it for the first time on February 8th and wrote the most loving comment. Little did any of us know that she would be called up to heaven only 5 days after that post, even more ironic, my sister read it and commented on it February 13th only 4 hours before our mom passed away. WOW! That wasn't supposed to happen.... :(

It took me quite some time to be able to hop onto my new website, especially the blog section, I still cry every time I read it, which is why it has taken me 7 months to write my second blog...but I am ready and super excited to get on with all I intend to do!

My mom's sudden passing has opened my eyes to how short and precious life really is and how much I was taking it for granted and not truly appreciating the small blessings in everyday life. I now have a whole new outlook and perspective on life and it's time to share what I have learned in these past months and will continue to learn along the way.

NOW for the exciting and thrilling part. My life has taken on a whole new path, one that I have been secretly passionate about for a very long time but never had the means to bring it to life...until now. A website that brings together all of my passions and desires to help others -- “Rhonda’s Retreat.”

My goal is to help others find simple, fun, and effective ways to get the most out of life by reminding ourselves how important it is to make time to take care of our body, mind, and soul. I want Rhonda's Retreat to be a "go to" place for us to get information, get inspired, and encourage each other while we go through this journey called life...TOGETHER!

Thank you, I'm glad you're here.

Please share your inspiration here by commenting on the blog. Let’s go through this “together!”


Rhonda

Hello friends, 

“Happy Whatever Day It Is When You Read This..."     Welcome to my first Blog!  

I am opening with the words my mother has used with my sisters and I for as long as I can remember.  Whether on the phone, in a letter (or text), or on a sticky note the beginning always started with wishing us a happy day by saying: "Happy Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday" or for the written wishes she would write, "Happy Whatever Day It Is When You Get This" not knowing what day of the week we would be reading her letter or card. I often took it for granted. Not that I didn't appreciate her well wishes, but I wasn’t really thinking about her intent each time she addressed us. My mother was wishing happiness for us no matter what day it was or what was going on in our lives, this is how she wanted us to feel.......HAPPY!

I have wanted to be a "Blogger" ever since I found out what it means. (Thanks to my pre-teen daughters.) I would love to be able to share information and real life experiences with others and welcome feedback, questions, and/or comments so that we can all learn from each other as we go through this roller coaster ride we call life.  Now thanks to my dear friend, and designer of this absolutely amazing website, my vision and all I am passionate about has come to together right in front of my eyes!  I am beyond excited!

Oh no...But now I HAVE to come up with a Blog, something to say....oh dear.

As I opened up a blank page, the first thing that came to mind was "Happy Whatever Day It Is." .....hmmmm

My ultimate goal with this website is to give all of us a place to "pop-in" whenever needed to gather information, get motivated, share ideas or just simply read something that makes us feel "Happy"!  THAT is what I want, that is my vision.

Rhonda