Health, Wealth and Happiness

There’s no getting around it.  Not that I would want to get around it, but God came into my life at a time when my life, as it was, was kinda iffy.  As Leon Russell once said “one side’s ice and one is fire” in Tightrope.  That song-how cool was THAT song when it came out?  Glad I was alive for that, cuz the newer version is kinda watered down. 

But anyway, I was about to fall off the tightrope of life.

God MAY have caught me,     or not.  I was living my life in self-destruct mode.  Drinking, staying up all night, then going to work in the factory.  And more.  Go ahead and read between the lines.

This was not the first OR last time I was in danger, but it was a turning point.  I was headed down the slippery slope.  Psalms 107: 10 says “Some sat in darknness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains”  Those chains of bondage involved drinking and other pursuits, and a pretty low self-esteem.

That was my time up to about 16 years ago.  I looked good, most of the time, but I really had some bad moments.  I always thought after the fact that if someone had had a video cam and followed me around that college town I lived in, we might have hastened the process of making wholesale changes.

I will never forget walking down the middle of a street in Whitewater, WI and actually crying out to God.  I was at the end of my rope, and He heard me.  It was soon after that I got some help from a minister in town, and I chased down an old friend that opened up the Good Book to/with me.

Within a week, I had gotten a job an hour away, that put me smack dab (that’s right, I’m bringing “smack dab” back too)  smack dab in a work environment where I was surrounded by Disciples of Christ.  They loved up on me, and I was invited to their church.  Even better,  I went.

It’s been a “Long Strange Trip” to make another 60s/70s/80s/90s reference, and I am so blessed each and every day.  It’s a new day.  I’m getting tired of crediting the rockers for their phrases/song titles, so I will let that one slide.

Anyhoo, I studied the Bible, heard the word, believed it, repented, became a Disciple, proclaimed Jesus as Lord and got baptized.  There was much rejoicing in heaven.

I didn’t write this to preach.  I have someone that really brings it, and I think he’ll do a blog-in Jesus for me.  That WILL be preaching. 

God gave me hope, and has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams since then.  (That’s at least a couple more blogs.) 

I wanted to get it out on the table, though.  I enjoy being a little on the edge as a writer, but my life is not the Hunter S. Thompson version.  Although as I stated, I was going in that direction at one time.

And, as we all know, if you don’t like what I am writing at one time or other, don’t read it.  Move on down the buffet to the next item….or not.  Skip the poi though, it’s over-rated.

she hasn’t, I know it….I think it’s cuz I didn’t read my neice’s story she wrote for HS Lit class.  I admit it, I did not read it.  It sat, neatly typed on my mom’s desk for me all 4 days that I was there back in Oct.  I guess the Bears game, and some late night Google searches on her lap top were all more important.  I just kept putting it off.

C’mon, it wasn’t flagrant.  I spaced it.  Honest uncle mistake.  Chelsea doesn’t know, (I don’t think.)  Heck, we’re both on Facebook, talk about uncle Rick being progressive, or is it regressing.  I don’t know. 

Since I enjoy writing.  So I know I gotta read others’ stuff.  I’ll just sweet talk her, and we’ll be cool again. 

Not sure, though, she HAS over 600 friends, I think.  What if she told them all how cruel her uncle is.  I am going back to thinking she doesn’t know I didn’t read it.

And how does uncle Rick act cool with the neices and nephew anyhoo?  I mean, Chelsea swore on her Facebook entry today, I guess she’s ‘in trouble’ Monday.  That’s the edited version.  I mean, should I say something?  HELLO, she’s got like 600 friends.

That’s crazy.  I haven’t met 600 people in my 51 years, and she’s got that many to say that she’s their friend.  WOW.  What if I said something to her about her swearing, she could tell 600 people how square her uncle is!  Heck they probably say that word too.  (I know, I know, I used to say that word, but I gave it up about 14 years ago, btw, I never typed it for 600+ people to see.)

I know, by the time I wake up tomorrow, she’ll have edited it, and moved on to another crisis.

Oh yeah, back to mom.  You know I married the coolest lady in the world and she gives great gifts.  Mom just got her Harry and David fruit basket from us, and I know we BOTH signed the card.  It’s time to get back on her good side.

BTW, I DID read one of my mom’s books, actually two.  She is a rather well-known children’s author, and her book, The Legend of Lady Ilena, by Patricia Malone is great.  Order it from your local book store, and give it to a girl from the age of 10 to 16.  I bet she’ll love it.  See mom, I got your back.

Note to any of mom’s writing buddies that may read this.  Come on, help me out here.  Tell her to back off.  I am good most of the time.  Heck, my dark years are all in the rear-view year.

And besides, I gotta be on all of your good sides, I am part of a book that will come out next year.  (Thank God I Have A Home Based Business)  I’ll get to THAT later, but suffice to say that I will preview my chapter in the book here, so stay tuned….and Chelsea, just email me that thing to read.       Uncle Rick

baby wants to jetski       She MAY actually want A jetski.  She mentions it, under her breath sometimes, then out loud during certain moods.  She has this picture.  When she was about 15, they had jetskis (two of them) lined up outside the house.  As you may have figured out, they lived on the water…….in Hawaii.

She has expensive dreams.  But that’s good.  Got to have a why.  You want to know the other one?

Baby wants a BMW 3 series.  Red, with a little blueish in it.  Or Metallic Gray, or Silver.  (Not purple, not maroon.)  I want her to have one.  I could see myself in a new car, but I don’t have a clear picture yet.  No car for Ricky!  She can’t either until she gets this color thing right.

I don’t think you can really start a journey and have a plan, if you don’t know where you are going.  We are going to the jetski store…in the future.  I can see us on the darn things.  Bouncing as we catch the waves.  Catching air.    THAT’S how I roll.

Salt water spraying, in our eyes, getting some sun.

I just kinda sneak into her dreams, because I can.

Otherwise the long hours working at home can be tedious.  The turn downs, the idiots, the wrong numbers on the phone seem like a weight on my shoulders with no reason to continue on.  Her years at Dr. school were rough, except for when she saw that carrot just ahead of her.

Baby likes to travel.  She’s no Motel 6, Super 8, or Zinger Motel kind of lady.  We pay someone to watch the cats, and THAT’S not a bad gig.  We’ve been in the seats of the front of the plane, and we never want to go back.

Baby likes the restaurant leaning over the cliff, rather than the steakhouse chain, or the cafeteria style place.  She deserves it, she’s a Dr.  I deserve it, I’m with her.

She sends fruit baskets for Christmas (not fruitcakes), she always gives good gifts.

Baby pays some of my bills as I move towards my financial goals (which are hers as well).  Lost a couple of the women there, did’nt I?

I see us at some fancy couples resort, or maybe a cruise ship spa, side by side, getting treatments with oils, getting massaged and loving life.  She’s really led me to great health.  I rub her feet like no one else can.  And by the way, no one else can.

We’ll be there, in a convertible, cruising up Highway 1 towards San Francisco, from Pismo Beach.  You either know what I am talking about, or you need to get out more.  I mean c’mon, put us in a Visa commercial or something!

The old Rick used phrases like “I can’t afford that” “Wish I could go there   “  “When I get outta debt, I’ll…..”(fill in the blank)  “Someday I’ll”

YOU NEVER GET TO SOMEDAY I’LL.  Your ship does not JUST come in.  That’s like expecting to win the lottery but not purchasing a ticket.  Not going to work.  Want to get paid to play the lottery, just ask…….or go to http://www.PaidToPlayLottery.com

To get somewhere, you HAVE to see it, see yourself there, kick the tires, take it for a spin, make an offer, have a plan, pretend, act as if you’re already there.  Some put the pics up in the office, bathroom etc.

You also have to believe that you are worthy, deserving, and see yourself in possession, earning it, etc.  You have to earn enough money to buy it, lease it, maybe even rent it.

For a good 17 years I had a governor on my financial go-cart.  Remember the go-carts you get in and race against your friends.  Who won?  Assuming you all floored it the whole way, probably the one that happened to be in the front row.  Because of the governors.

Or would you prefer ceiling.

Can’t get over that.  Like a long time employee trading his/her hours for dollars, at the top of the pay scale.  Now THAT’S a motivated worker…….NOT.

You won’t get your dreams and goals working for someone else.  Well maybe, but I bet you adjusted down those lofty goals when reality hit you, somewhere through the years.

So what do you do?

Assuming you are NOT the next Beckham (who?) or Peyton Manning, or Prince Fielder, or Tiger Woods….And if you aren’t threatening Carrie Underwood or Beyonce, or Bruce Springsteen for performing excellence…….

For ‘normal’ people like me, Network Marketing, home-based business, perhaps internet marketing, all seem to be the best hope.  That is, to make the big bucks, get free(r) with your time, and hit those big goals.

Get that clear picture of a Why, a plan to achieve it, find a GREAT company, and you could be off to the races.

Blaaaammmm!!

The looks on our faces rivaled Thomas Edison, Chris Columbus, even that dude that invented Peanut Butter and Jelly.  The big smiles told the story.  We had discovered something…….important.

At 60 mph, in an AMC Javelin 2 door, (I won’t give the color, or plate number for obvious reasons), and with just the right trajectory, an empty shorty Miller bottle would crack a roadsign like nothing you ever imagined. 

“Let me try it!” Tommy said with a grin.  Alright all you Einstein crimestoopers, cool your jets.  I’m changin’ his name and btw, this happened 34 years ago.

After a couple of tries, and a stop to replenish our stock of shorty bottles, he got one (from the drivers side.)

Now, I know what y’all are thinkin’.  Or I’ve at least narrowed it down.

That’s littering.  Yep, you bet.  It’s a tough choice for a child of the 60s who was scolded mercilously by mom for throwing out a McDonald’s Vanilla milkshake (1/2 full) on a camping trip in Northern Wisconsin 42 years ago.  But, these bottles were actually EVIDENCE to the proper authorities.

Or, you may be thinking “Hey, let’s try that ourselves.”

Bad idea, and I’ll tell ya why.  First of all, drinking, by itself is bad for a whole lot of people.  Drinking in cars is bad, wrong and illegal.  Littering is all of those, too.  That’s to say nothing about the damage that flying glass projectile going at least 60 miles per hour could cause to anything other than a road sign.  (Hey I flunked Physics, but it was going pretty fast.)  We were highly trained professionals and not in a densley populated area. 

Btw the police have really heard all of the excuses.  

Well, after that summer, and one more year, Tommy went to college, and although I dabbled in higher learning, he did it for real, he gradiated!  I stayed the course, trying new and creative ways to entertain myself.  Long story short, I was lucky to survive those years.  So we parted ways, for decades.

So, you how these puters work.  With Face Book, the Class-mates or whatever, even Google, we sometimes make those connections, again. 

Of course you wonder, what they look like, what kind of work do they do, whatever.  I wondered  “Did I do something bad enough so that Tommy would not want to talk to me?”  Knowing those days, my 20s and let’s be honest, a certain segment of my 30s, that’s a valid wondering.

You gotta think that to have made it this far, there must some growing up, some polishing of the personality, some maturity.  Or not.

Anyway, I expect to talk some more back and forth, and we’ll see.  It takes a while just to catch up.  I know one thing for sure.  Even if we meet in person (spanning about 5000 miles), we won’t be tossing any shorty bottles……. I don’t think they make ‘em anymore.