2012 GRATITUDE RECAP



This was a fun travel year filled with volunteer work, as well as wonderful expansion in the size of our family, with the birth of my first grand-child and three marriages, my niece (planned) and two cousins (spontaneous!).

I had the opportunity for four visits with my son & daughter-in-law and am so proud of all they are doing with a great work ethic and all the responsibilities that come with new parenthood.

I was also able to visit with my daughter in England on two separate occasions and could not be more proud of how she has been able to grow business for the country pub she manages – not an easy task!

January saw my first winter in England for many years – after spending Xmas with my daughter and my two brothers and their families, Xmas night I hopped on an airplane to Israel to celebrate the end of Hanukah with my sister and her family, then back to England for another few chilly days before heading home to the Destin beaches.  Later that month it was a trip to Las Vegas to support 1000 participants at Tony Robbins Business Mastery, always a great learning experience.

February started with a few days in Tampa with my girlfriend and her beautiful little daughter, followed by a couple of days in Panama City Beach for a west coast swing dance weekend.  That month I also made the commitment to start work on my new book (great idea, and about time!), as well as doing a couple of auditions for the Emerald coast karaoke sing-off (what was I thinking!).

March started with an ER visit for yet another fracture to my left wrist – fortunately this time healing was speedy (with the help of my miracle Manna360 nutrition) and I was back in the gym after a few days.  With much travel planned for this month I treated myself to an iPad, making airline security so much easier.  Then it was off to New Jersey to support 5000 participants at Tony Robbins Unleash the Power Within, followed by a fun couple of days in Manhattan visiting my son and (very pregnant) daughter-in-law.  I won tickets for a live Oprah show in Radio City with my girlfriend.  After just a few days at home it was off to Tulsa as guest speaker at a couple of LegalShield events, and then to Oklahoma City with over 10,000 associates at Legal Shield’s annual convention.

April is always a beautiful month here at the beach, spring breakers are gone and the vacationers are not yet in town, and I spent time working on my book as well as kayaking on the Gulf, and dancing at every opportunity.  The last week on the month was in Manhattan for the birth of my first and beautiful grandchild, Bella-Grace.  There is little as moving as witnessing a new-born, especially when you are not the one going through the birthing process!  Family expansion #1

May was another beautiful and quiet month and an opportunity for some serious work on my book.  A surprise call from my cousin let me know that her “never getting married” son had just got married!  Family expansion #2

June took me up to Atlanta to visit with friends for dancing and a visit to my favorite store, Trader Joe’s, to stock-up on low-priced organic products.  Then home for the annual local Dancing with Desire event and photo shoot with Dancing With the Stars pros Max, Val, Tony,Tristan, Kim & Chelsea!

July took me back up to Manhattan for a few days with my son and daughter-in-law, and the first opportunity to baby-sit beautiful Bella-Grace.

August was another fabulous month as I decided to redo Tony Robbins Life Mastery in Brighton England, as a participant, for the first time in 16 years, having been blessed to win the tuition for the event.  I had the opportunity to make some wonderful new European friends and, of course I added a couple of days at either end of the course for some more family time with my daughter and my brothers.

September was adventure month – two weeks traveling through Italy by myself (I don’t speak Italian!) and an opportunity to visit with some great friends along the way.  The trip included a fabulous motorcycle day trip to Lake Como, a surprise meeting with the great Dr. Robert Young (author of the pH Miracle) and a surprise dinner with the one and only Brian Tracy.  I also visited the beautiful Amalfi coast, which had been a long-time dream of mine, and it was even more amazing than I imagined!  A few days with my cousin and her family in Rome for Yom Kippur, and then the two of us flew to Vienna, Austria for my first (and emotional) visit to the birthplace of my parents.  We had a great evening as my nephew’s band’s performed at the famous Porgy & Bess Jazz Club, along with other musicians including Christopher Chaplin (Charlie’s son).

October started with an overnight train ride from Vienna to Venice, followed by two weeks cruising the Mediterranean on a Salsa dance cruise, visiting Turkey, Greece, Italy, France and Spain.  A few days in beautiful Barcelona, Sitges and the surrounding areas with special friends, and a magical horse-riding experience, before heading back home.

November gave us family expansion #3 as my other cousin (I only have two) called to say that her son, also, had made a spontaneous decision and got married!  My month started with a trip to Orlando supporting 4000 participants at Tony Robbins Unleash the Power Within.  Then some crazy last-minute rescheduling to get to my niece's wedding in Israel, at the same time that the Gaza war was happening.  After a very brief trip to south Florida to see my grand-daughter and my son’s family and in-laws for our annual Thanksgiving visit, I was on an airplane to Israel for a quick 3-day trip for the beautiful and fun wedding - family expansion #4! 

December started with a 30-hour trip from Israel straight to Palm Springs for 10 days supporting 2300 participants at Tony Robbins Date with Destiny, and then two full days to get home after getting bumped of numerous flights!  Last week was another full volunteer day supporting 86 young children (aged 5-15) at our annual Wish Upon a Car Charity outing.  The highlight of the month was the release of my new book “Cancer is Great for Your Health – avoiding and reversing chronic disease”, and a couple of book-signings.

I’m exhausted just reading over this year’s adventures, and am quite clear why I’m somewhat cash poor right now, and happy resting up at home this week. 
But, boy, was it all worth it!!

Here’s to an even more amazing 2013 and beyond.

With love & light to you and your families.

Linda