I've been trying like all get out, to get financially stable, more than just my partly VA Benefits. I was, last summer, set to take over a contracting firm that handled federal government contracts, opening up contracts for lots of fellow Vets. Then, Wells Fargo killed the deal. I spent some time with various real estate investors, lots of "mentors," and that all fell flat. Bunch of Bollocks. Since June of this year, I've been trying to work with DVR [Dept. of Voc Rehab]. All part towards the "Legacy" I hope to leave...but I'm going ahead. I did list legacy 3rd, after all! ;)
Love. Long time, I looked at it as "a bad 4-letter word." I'm still amused by the old "4 letter words are bad:" fire, burn, hmmm, may have to rethink that! :D
A lot of people, especially who know me in person, know I've had my share of heart betrayal. Just the cliff notes on 2. One, a gal while I's in the Navy. We had an argument. She went to her next command, and I went to the Middle East. The 2nd: I got a call from the as-yet land lord. Short: the gal had her separated husband and "piece" at the house, and we weren't supposed to have moved in. How did he find out? The cops let him know! With these sort of things [tho being most extreme], "getting involved" seemed bad.
Until a couple years back. This April, I'll be getting married. Some people aren't tagged, because they know, already. Some, I'm multitasking, so oop...or d'oh!
I'll start with the basics. Her name's Tamzi. She's a bit of French, Canadian, and Native American. All I'll say is that we're +10 years apart, and I'm "the senior citizen!" That may be just as well. Too many older women are like "my kids first." Yea, and you're kids will grow up and leave you. A husband will be with you for decades. You offer guidance to the kids, and of course, love, but you don't give them things, forever. You help them, but don't let them be leeches, thugs, and worse! Too many older women are tainted. They've had bad experiences, and are constantly on the look for a flaw. As soon as they see something remotely like "every other guy," the bolt. Um, hello? I AM a guy. Unless the women are planning to be lez, then guys will be guys, and gals will be gals. We all have different ways of doing things and how we think. Different minds, different thoughts.
It will either be in eastern Washington, or possibly, because things are cheaper, northern Idaho. Specifics, well, that's if any can actually come. I know most of my side's on the east coast, with a few sprinkles here on the west. We plan the wedding itself to be tiny, as she's not for a lot of people. The reception will be more open. I kind of wish I had the funds, so I could bring in more of my side of family-friends. Our hope is, possibly summer 2015, to do a drive around the country. Visit people on both sides, and say "Ta da!" Also, for those who can't attend, to "remarry," exchange vows, etc, at each stopping point. Which goes back to Legacy.
Like all, I want the best, not just for me, but for all those I've known. From family breakdown and living from my car, to my nasty fall while in the navy, I've had my share of shit. One of the slowest/hardest things to come to terms with is the "scrambled eggs mind." Besides the fall in the Navy, I can think of at least 2 other big accidents, where careless sailors let big packs of 10 lbs supplies drop, hit me on the head, dropping me. Course, the Navy has "can you stand up? you bleeding? You're ok." Obviously, especially since, that's not true. I've had a few cases, where friends talk about things, recalling the details, but I don't even recall the event in question even happening. Then, I've had a few times, where some friends notice a "brown or space out" for a few seconds. Nothing major, but enough for some people to raise concerns...and of course, more than a decade later, and the VA believes I could have gotten it from something other than my time in service. Like my issues with my knees: X-rays don't show anything, so there's no problem.
So, what Legacy am I wanting? I'm looking at a "Help4TheNeedy Program." I've been there, done that, and lost the movie rights. I'm sure many know the stats. What may be less well known is that for every homeless person, there's an average of 4 vacant homes. My goal, fill the vacant units with homeless people. To do that, I'm working with SCORE, to help develop my business plan. I'm also working with other groups, and plan to hit DVR with it, especially since they've been slacking OVER 6 MONTHS! I'm sort of going the non-profit way, but not quite. There are a lot of groups out there, that provide grants to help the homeless, especially governments. This last year, there was $3M, for just my city. I get things lined up, and I'm going to take some of that, and not only help those in need, but help lay the foundation for my soon-to-be wife and family. There are a lot of things to get, and a lot of opportunities. While traveling the US, I plan to put one, and then, another, location, up and running, as time allows. I know I plan to have one or two in Florida, because I still have a lot of people there, and that can provide them with career ops. A few other things from coast to coast, but starting up in the Pacific Northwest, as that's where I'm at, atm. I'm talking with people, and getting feedback, professional and personal, and looking to make this happen. May have someone who knows someone who can help with the grant writing presentation deal, so now, it's just a matter of time.
Remember, my friends: "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE SCHWARTZ!" :D