Duke'sHilltopHouseHonolulu

So... did I read you say.. you got a job selling Cadillacs? ~amongst all the bickering, miserable bullying going on~ I'm not trying to pay attention to it but some how I feel someone's not a happy camper~ G and I had a 1976 baby blue Caddy back in 2004.. and just loved it. It was a luxury boat..lol. We'd pack our stuff up and go anywhere in that car... miss having it. Congrats to you.

Ah... that was sweet.. thank you James. He was a 'born free' 'born to be wild' kinda guy.. the brain tumor didn't keep him from what he loved...it didn't keep him stuck up in a hospital bed somewhere until his last moments.. or couple of months. I admire that, ya know. I say.. now he can get on that bike and ride in the heavens anywhere his heart wants to take him.

I think that's so cool that you would do that for Kid Rock friends if you had the chance. I always thought... shit.. if I win the lotto... first thing I'd do is have the biggest party/get together at one of Kid Rock's shows and invite every friend to come from here. Back when I had the good job, we did have a get together at one of G's favorite places to eat when Kid Rock came to town. We rented out their room and had them cater.. pizza, sammiches, and beer. And, G had access to a limo/luxury motorcoach company bc he did a lot of work for them on their buses... he works in the truck tire business. So, he did some work for them.. and he got a luxury motorcoach to go back n forth to the venue where Kid Rock was performing and our lil party place.... made t-shirts to give away... "I survived the Kid Rock pre-party.. 2006" What a blast it was. Wish we could do that again sometime if and when they ever come back to our home town. I doubt we could afford all that as of right now... but maybe in time :) How's that go... 'be strong in the storms of life and the sun will always shine on you'... hang in there cuz :)

I keep thinking the 'Mule' is the party every night kicking the chickens in the pen which is them/the band. I think it's bc of the lyrics that follow: "Let's rock all night until we do it again" ~ could be totally wrong... but I'd imagine... it gets tough having to have some sort of balance on the road with it "the mule" being at your disposal each and every night if you let it. I LOVE Mr. Rock n Roll... one of my favorites too... love the change-up :) How are things going with you? Any good leading prospects? I'm sorry I have been disconnected to the boards as of late. Realized I was putting my Algebra course on the backburner which is a totally no no. Was so focused on exercising and preparing healthy foods that I lost control or a healthy balance. So, now that I'm more focused on with balance... I got a cold..haha... well that and I had to slow down on the socializing. But, the ultimate reward is the cruise coming up in March... so I have to make sure I'm ahead of the studies. With that being said... I'll sit with this math stuff for 7 - 8 hours a day... and have to break from it so I still come here to get away from it...and get excited for the reward... which keeps me going ;)

I see that... your kids are cuties.. ya gotta be proud :)

How are the prayer reminders going? I am so happy you and your family are stabilizing and things are getting better. PTL! Keep up your daily efforts and He loves you talking with Him :) Grateful tears you found you are rich because you have your family. They are the ones there when the money is not. My best to you and your family. Smiles :)

Sorry I haven't wrote for awhile.. I'm trying to do too many things at once... school, work.. yes minimum wage... and that's okay because I don't own a cracker jack box.. I rent one ~raspberry at you~.. that hurt.. BB's nice, also on the list is help people when and where I can, and exercise so I can be a bit more healthier. how you doing.. back in the hometown? Still dying to know your favorite song off the new album....lol

About the Facebook thing: I'm a newbie. While my skills and patience with the "chatter" I hear on it are improving each day, this is where I prefer to talk, if you don't mind. Keep up your one day at a time efforts and I'll do the same :)

Oh, what tears of joy & renewed belief in humanity!!! I knew He would hear. Thank you so much, Jim, for sharing with me. I wasn't 'worried' for that would do neither of us any good but I was oh so concerned. So you've all slept well indoors, I pray, & enjoyed your hot breakfast this morning? What's your room apple count up to? :) Speaking with you renewed the thankfulness I feel for Him, especially as I was craving protein last night but a pasta vegetable concoction was what He provided for me here in a safe place provided by good people. God is good. Way to go bustin' a move on the Trauma Kit!!! If anyone can walk into a car dealership cold & sell them a good idea & product, I knew it was you! You have the expertise & the skills. You have a good heart & a kind, gentle, generous way with our Villagers...I could hear it in your voice & your stories. I can only imagine how beautiful, thankful, & happy Wendy's tearful eyes must have been when she was blessed by her brave, articulate actions with the promise of another night of warmth & safety for her family. It ain't easy humbling ourselves before others admitting, that while we have skills, talents, and solid work ethics, we once had money & now we don't. Would you please help me? But, rock on, Jim! As we spoke about yesterday, maybe this is an opportunity for you & your family to learn through experience the joy, hope & renewed belief in God & good hearted people that you & your family have given to your 'adopted' family members & those you didn't know but offered your wife's Redneck Paradise at the Hawaii Hilton (thank God for your hard work so you had earned that free night) Thanksgiving feast meatballs to nourish the homeless men sharing the can of tuna. I don't have to like how He is showing you, deep & true, just how much of a difference you, Wendy, & your children make in this world, but I do thank Him for His blessings to you all & to me, for without His grace I wouldn't know you. Smiles my friends :)

You are a good, good man, through and through, Jim. Absolutely no doubt in my mind. Sincerely, thank you for 2 ½ hours of sharing your journey of all the precious souls to whom you brought so much joy to in their times of need. Thank you for the “wrinkles” you witnessed erased from their foreheads by your kind Christ-hearted ways. Thank you for the dignity, the lifting up, and the honesty you gave to our Villagers through your multi-million dollar it will be again soon I heard your expertise lingo and solid business plan business. Thank you and your wife for raising such good-hearted children. No greater service to humanity may be rendered. Thank you for sharing with me the journeys of your family, the challenges of losing your sister 10 years ago to Janis Joplin only not famous life and what you’ve learned and applied to your own along with those you have helped, of your still fresh pain and tears from the loss of your mother and then your father, of the humble lessons you have learned in times like these. Thank you for sharing tears and laughter and hope with me. May you continue to let your anger and hurt go from life’s learning curves…keep the faith, my friend, for it’s like we talked about, it’s those little dastardly demons trying really, really, really hard to get you on their side because they know opportunity is about to knock. I heard you and my heart bleeds with the thought of you, your wife, and three young sons having to hit the pavement or get the cross-town ride but with nowhere to go. I can’t imagine your feelings of wanting to provide for your family, as you have provided for so many others, and feeling desperately powerless…the agony of knowing how to make good honest money, the tried and true ability to do so through your solid work ethic, and the disappointment from each investor you’ve found - who sees and will profit by your vision but just won’t commit. I would. Your start up costs are minimal, and that’s from me who can’t even fathom the money amounts from your profitable 10 years of business in your industry, but first we need to get you and your family stabilized and relieve the stress from fighting just to secure your moment to moment basic necessities as you continue your hard work. I pray for your sick sons’ health. I pray for your successful business, with which you want to help your children - because as their father you “would do anything for them” - and your heart, as you would continue to lift up our Villagers with dignity - helping them help themselves. Your heart is in the right place, Jim. I believe in you, your family, and your true American hard-working dream. I know He hears my prayers; I have faith…and renewed hope and love in having shared my time with you and your family. You have an untold wealth of knowledge and skills to offer our Villagers…let’s take that…and your family and me…let’s get to Michigan, they’re our kind of peeps!!! Remember, I’ll bring the Subway card and the tent!!!

Dear Jim, I am of the same mind. Everything is possible with God. I’ve read your previous posts so I knew some of your picture; I appreciate you sharing more. I’ve had my own “tears one minute laughter the next” journey and I, too, am grateful for my fortune in light of many. It was my privilege to cry already in earnest prayer and bless your heart for saying not to worry. I stopped worrying the moment I heard your wife’s beautiful voice on the phone. I could hear her smile, warmth, and love as I stood shivering in hope and the true Montana January cold. Her voice reassured me all is well. I am happy to hear you have food and shelter; I am hopeful it will continue. As hard as it may be, you are already selling success from Room 227 at the Hampton Inn. I read it in your Craigslist ad. I thanked God in the moment when I learned of something you could do from there for good people I know here that could really benefit from your sales, advertising, and marketing experience. My friends are purchasing the Creamery building I mentioned to your wife. Its story is a significant part of our community’s identity for it tells a tale of a community, neighbors helping neighbors, coming together in a time of disaster. I’ve spent a lot of time there of recent, it holds a special place in my heart, and today I toured it with the wife of the gentleman’s name I gave you to contact. I saw their exquisite vision of how they will renovate the gorgeous historic building. They have the expertise, energy, and passion to renovate its hodgepodged likely not to code dilapidated state into a revitalized instead of overlooked active community treasure and opportunity for the future. They are smart enough to know to get additional people with other expertise involved. That’s where I saw your opportunity. Upon my suggesting (which is no small miracle based on my newbie technology skills) a FaceBook page for it, she said they want some assistance in advertising and marketing. You sprung to my mind before I could breathe. I thought it possible, over emails and whatnot, you and he could brainstorm together about their solid plans for the business and how they can “spread the word” of its resurrection here in the community and within the Bitterroot Valley (Hamilton to Missoula). I don’t know if they are “hiring” or “contracting” for this type of work, for they are still putting things together for the closing on the sale this next week, but I figured if they are, either option sounded promising. There were some good write ups in local papers (Bitterroot Star, Ravalli County Republic, and possibly the Missoulian) especially this last year as the town celebrated its 100th Creamery Picnic (.com). Those are also good papers to research to get a flavor for the people, businesses, and resources in the area. When your wife told me you had internet access in your home is where the heart is home for now, I was grateful...and hopeful. I pray your knowledge and expertise can help this loving community in which I am blessed to have been a part of. Thank you. I still haven’t walked my dog yet and I promised, so off I go. I’m glad you explained my alternate sleeping patterns. I appreciate the belief that my late night musings may not disturb the sleep of others. May God continue to bless you and your family. Smiles :)

Hi James.. well it took me a bit of reading but I think what I intended to send you... you may have already gotten. I saw on Kid Rock's profile that you didn't have the new album yet.... but I just read your last post and it read that you had gotten it. I was gonna send you one from Best Buy... but don't wanna send you one if you already have it. And if you do... I'd still like to hear what your favorite song is on it. Lemme know if you did or not.. if not I'd be happy to purchase one for you and get it out there to you before the 15th - my treat.

PS... I'd like to send you something in the mail. Some good information and a treat that I think you will enjoy. May I have your address so that I can send it.. if you don't prefer putting it up here.. send me an email at beckxyrocks@yahoo.com. I know you don't know me very well, and it's likewise here... but do know that I'm very trusted, and that you can trust that I am a good person and won't be doing nothing but sending you something great... ask blue or bobbie jean if you need, k Keep your head up.

Just read you lil about you up above there. Just wanted to add that it doesn't matter if you are in a million dollar business and lose everything or have a 12 dollar an hour job and lose that.... I think what matters is learning how to adapt from the loss, and taking the steps to start building it back up again. What don't kill us only makes us stronger. And sorry to hear about your losses... my husband and I are at the age where our parents are slowly dying and it SUCKS having to see love ones go thru this. Anyway.. your right.. Kid Rock sings it best.. sun is shiny shining no matter what ; ) May God bless you and yours !!

Ah, James so sweet of you to share the recap. You sure know how to motivate the crowd, at one point I'm thinking VEGAS!! and actually got my checkbook out.....LOL! Glad you had a wonderful time but even more thankful that you took the time to share the whole experience with all of us here. It was a great read.

Wish I could do Vegas...it sounds like a rockin weekend! Got my spot on the cruise so I'm sittin tight waiting for April. But if I win the lotto tonight, then I'll be there. :)

13 years from now---Your ass (and all of the rest of You--too :-) better still be here----i never forget acts of kindness----You, my Krc Family Friend---have performed many. God has Blessed You for a reason----He (God) KNEW that You'd do what is right with it :-)

Good luck James!!!! So cool if u can score tix today! Need to check my flight miles ASAP!

Have a GOOD DAY !!! :)

James, saw your post to KR on "Cold and Empty" and just wanted to send you cudos! Being thrust into a situation that allows you to truly feel "The Other Shoe" is sometimes what it takes. I wish for you and your wife a long happy healthy journey. May you Rock the sh* out of Hawaii!!!!