Rich Dad Poor Dad
Today, as I was sitting at a very boring work event, I was checking my email and noticed that I had a new Audible credit. I logged onto the Audible website, and thought to myself, "what book do I want to listen to?"
About a week ago I came across some "Lux" YouTube video that mentioned this book, Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki. The video was talking about things that rich parents teach their kids, but poor parents don't. My father was definitely a poor dad, and still is one to this day. He did not know how to save money. Instead, he spent money. My father managed to spend a half million dollar inheritance in a matter of years, with nothing to show for it. I remember telling him, when I was around 21 years of age, that he should give me some of the money to invest. I am sure, as he has to work 6-7 days a week, with lots of overtime, at the age of 65, that he wishes he had given me that money now.
On the way home from this event, I started listening to this book. As I listened to the beginning of this tale, I am happy that I have already started talking to my daughter about the importance of starting to save money early in life and the value of compounding interest. I don't want her to end up scrounging for change like her grandparents, and living in the financial fear that I have felt for the past 20 years.
As for myself, I am getting laid off from my job of 10 years as of January 5th. I have never been more excited then I am now. So many of the people that I have lead at work still hold me in high regard, and consider me to be the best boss that they ever had. Through the years at this job, I have grown in various areas, and I can't wait to take all of that experience and begin to create a new life built on passions… not fears. As I was being told that I was losing my job, it was almost like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders; it was as if someone told me that my release date from jail just got pushed up. Freedom is right around the corner.
What is in store for me next? I guess you are going to have to stay tuned to find out.
Creating a Celebration of Life Ceremony
After losing my daughter, Sammi, at the end of June, I was faced with having to choose what to do with her. Sammi was a free spirit here on Earth, so I didn't feel a normal burial would be what she wanted. I also knew how infrequently I visited the graves of my other family members, so I decided on cremation. With being able to do cremation without the aid of a funeral home, I had to decide on whether or not to do a funeral, or do more of a memorial service.
Sammi lived a short 21 years, but she touched so many lives, and was know to shine a light so bright. I felt a Celebration of Life service would suit her best, and also fall into my budget better. But where to have this service? I called around to local fire halls, hotels, and community buildings, but ultimately was able to find a church through friends in my network that agreed to hold the service. By doing this, I was able to have a pastor speak, and also make sure that we stayed on schedule. They didn't require a payment, but we did make a donation to the church afterwards. They were also kind enough to print up programs for us at no charge.
Sammi was an organ donor and was able to donate 4 of her organs, so the Living Legacy Foundation printed up the Memorial Cards for us at no cost as well.
Friends of the family, as well as Baughers Restaurant (a place where several family have worked over the years) volunteered up their time and food to put out a large spread for the Celebration. I was very grateful for this, and all the leftovers. It helped to keep our family fed throughout the week.
I wanted to give some of Sammi's friends Vial Necklaces with her ashes in them. I ordered two styles: one for the females and one for the males.
I was really in no shape to go into a store, so I utilized my Amazon Prime account to get the rest of the items for the Celebration of Life, and also for a balloon release the following day. I actually put a small amount of her ashes in each biodegradable balloon before we filled it up with helium. It was a very cool idea, but let me warn you! Some her ashes blew back out when I took the balloon off the helium tank. If you are someone who would not be able to laugh at this, do not try it! 
I had also spent a lot of time creating videos for the Celebration. If you click on the "Sammi" page of this website, you can view all of the videos that I made.
Overall, I was very happy with the way everything turned out. I really wanted to honor the life of my daughter, and I know she was there watching us and was proud of how much I pulled off in such a short amount of time. I couldn't have done it without the amazing support of so many people, and if you are going through a loss of your own, be sure to ask for help, and accept help that is offered to you.
Who is this Forrest Fenn guy, and did someone say Treasure?
If you follow me on my YouTube channel, The Odious Soul, you know that I am obsessed with the Treasure Hunt devised by Forrest Fenn. Forrest was a pilot in the air force for 20 years, was even shot down a couple of times in Vietnam, who then decided to take a chance and open an art gallery in Sante Fe after his military retirement. After being diagnosed with kidney cancer, he envisioned taking some of his treasures out to a special place in the Rocky Mountains, and dying there with it. Fortunately for him and us, Forrest survived his battle with cancer, and in the August of either 2009 or 2010, he hid the treasure in his special place, and continues to live and thrive to this day.
The lure of the treasure hunt has attracted people from all walks of life. It’s estimated that some 350,000 people have gone out searching for the treasure at least once. In the 8 or 9 years that the treasure has been hidden out in nature somewhere, no one has been able to correctly decode the clues and find Fenn’s treasure. Forrest has said that several people have been within 200 feet of it, but no one has one this lottery and gone home with the chest, yet.
What? Me Blog???
I have a vision, and I am working on a plan. So, this is where it all will begin. I guess you will have to follow along if you want to see where the journey takes me.