A Poem For A Man Who Lost His Wife

There once was a girl, who watched The Price Is Right with passion, she often would say, it was Drew she adored, she could price things right, second to none, and that's the truth, the smile it put on her face, memories never replaced. Humor and laughter was her key to the day, that girl I speak of, so sick and so weak, each weekday at 10, with Drew and his crew, she'd tune in and laugh, that beautiful face, will never be replaced. That beautiful face left us last June, she's in a better place, how I wish I could see that face. That wish will have to wait, because I made my dear a promise, I swore to keep, show up I would, to the big show in person, regardless if by myself, she would have none of that, "you’ll never be alone, I'll always be by your side" she'd profess, so here I am, this last task on the list, before she left, she told me this "If you get called down, and if you have any doubt, shout out loud, these three words - One dollar Drew!" I’m not worried, the outcome, The Price is Right, thank you I say, it’s the reason I’m here, to play would be great, but regardless I’m keeping my promise, this last wish on her list. I hope I will do, it would have been better, her standing here, in my place, but it's me here today, to say to you and the crew, because of all of you, the days were lighter and our room was brighter, with laughter and with smile. I thank you so much for the memories the show brought, it's ones I hold dear, these times have been trying, when I any doubt, I listen real close, real silent too, I can hear that beautiful voice, so clear and so true, yelling out - "One dollar Drew!"

A Mother...

Tonight I talked with a friend from high school who is battling cancer, breast cancer. I've known of her sickness for some time but stayed away from the situation. Tonight I couldn't help but get emotionally touched by the story.

I called to check in with the family and found out that the cancer had spread to the kidneys. I also found out that their only car was taken away from them for registration problems. It was apparent that she was trying to keep a positive voice about it but I heard her break for just a moment. It was then that I thought of my mother.

My mom is a cancer survivor. She was young and a single mother when sickness came knocking. I can hardly think about the fear she must of felt. My mom. For some reason when I was talking to my friend my mother's voice was on the other line. It wasn't really but for a moment I pictured my mother talking to some man, maybe someone like me who might be able to help and it affected me. What if that was my mom 40 years ago?

I say that because I wonder if my mom needed help way back when. If she did, was there anyone in particular that she thought might be able to help. Would she ask? Did she ask? Well my friend didn't ask but I offered to throw it out there to see if someone I know might be able to help the family with a car. For months now I never offered anything to the family. My hands were full with my own projects. I help sick kids and families with sick kids. It's my passion to ease the burden, if just a bit, for families with sick kids. But tonight it dawned on me that this friend, this mother, is a daughter of someone. She has to worry about her kids and how the sickness is affecting them. Her burden or her fright has to be overwhelming.

I cried. I called my mom and cried. It hit me hard that this friend may pass away and how shitty is it that you would have to spend any time worrying about transportation. But that is their reality and their burden combined with cancer. I hate to see it but if I can put the word out and help in any manner then maybe just maybe some of their worry might be relieved. Please help this family if you can and consider that this could be your daughter, your sister, or even your mom!

American Idol

I cry every time I watch AI! I'm not sure why but I have my suspicions! I think it's because I keep thinking that these kids are children of someone. Sounds strange but when I hear someone with a great voice I feel a sense of - Pride. Crazy but I think how proud I would be if it was my kid. I get emotional hearing a good voice, what can I say.

When I see someone cry I want to cry. When I see someone do good I want to cheer. I love to see people succeed. I sometimes don't get why everyone is not that way. Seriously, I want everyone to do good. To see someone try and change, to see someone become passionate, to see someone find their thing makes me feel good. So I guess that is why I am weak for a good voice. A good voice is usually a sign of practice and passion. I sing in the car and shower but would never attempt to do it in public. So if someone does break out in song it usually signifies that someone has practiced on their pitch and I applaud that! Usually.

Please read my story that came out today in the Lee's Summit Journal. One-80 by Michael Quijas http://www.lsjournal.com/100/story/23639.html

2 Hold Outs and a Smile...

I can't tell you how great I felt today. Besides Kaylee having to go to CMH for blood work this morning, I had a great day. I was happy and I was productive. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but I hardly ever get mad during my day and I feel I treat everyone fair. I laugh a lot and generally have fun doing whatever it is I'm doing. I want to be the kind of person I'd want to be around. I sometimes get around people and I want to leave as soon as I get there. Misery can be contagious if you're not careful.



I gave a presentation at 11:00 am at the Bernstein-Rein Advertising office this morning. There were 9 employees from the media department waiting for me in the conference room. I took the seat at the head of the table and did my thing. I think that the speeches I've given over the last year have really helped in my cool and calm department. I use to get really nervous but I've figured out that you need to stay cool and calm, and never act as if you're out of breathe.



I always pretend like I'm the boss. The old saying was "pretend everyone in the room is naked" but I just pretend that I'm the big guy who calls the shots. Crazy? Well it works for me. I envision everyone wanting to be me! Try it, it works. When I talk about my product or service I imagine that I am sharing financials with stockholders. When someone from the crowd makes eye contact I pretend I'm going to offer this person the employee of the month award. It works.

When I arrived this morning for the meeting I was feeling great. It wasn't because I was going into a meeting with 9 different personalities, or because I was going to try to sell myself for an hour. Misery! It was because I had a moment right before I walked in the door, I thought how lucky I was I to have so many people waiting to talk to me. Silly but who would have thought that you could create a product and demand attention. I was going into a room full of people wanting to hear about this thing they call InAd TV! My dream, my creation, my morning.

Out of the 9 people in the room, I only meshed with 7. The two hold outs were not my personality type. The others were receptive. The last two kept their distance and their smile to themselves. Well I did my thing and ended my presentation and threw in some personal advice. I told everyone to smile during their day and enjoy life. They knew I had a child fighting cancer because someone asked me to tell them a little about myself. So I did. I think that these mothers, fathers, and ad people related when I suggested that they smile. If I can smile having a sick kid, then anyone can. They smiled and said thank you. I finished up the presentation with a funny story on how Bernstein-Rein Advertising and I got introduced. The story was so funny that everyone in the room including my 2 hold outs started laughing. It was only a matter of time before I had 9 out of 9 ad exec's laughing and smiling.

Well I'm out of words, and out of time, but I'm not out of breathe!

Cheers...

On June 6th & 7th there will be an event that I invite everyone to attend. It is Alex's Lemonade Stand which will be at all Hy-Vee stores in Kansas City. The money raised will help with cancer research and will help fund a cure. The organization is led in Kansas City by Mark and Cheryl Mozier. Their son was diagnosed with a tumor years ago and has since recovered. The time and effort they have spent putting Alex's stands in KC has been great. They are the sort of people I strive to be like. They make a difference in life and I think there is a part of all of us who want to do the same. They are doctors and professionals but make time to give back in a huge way.

My hat is off to the Moziers and I raise a glass to their hard work. I encourage everyone to do the same. Please stop by one of the stands and make a donation to a great cause. The funds raised will help find a cure to a disease that can hit families of any race, religion, or social status. Lets help put an end to this suffering, and help the Moziers with their fight against cancer! Cheers.

Sun block, long underwear, and one more week...

Kaylee did not make it today. Her ANC count (immune system) was too low to get what she needed to advance to her maintenance phase. We have to wait until next week. We will get there, it is out of our control. It is what it is!

Kaylee says her hopes weren't dashed or her spirit wasn't damaged. Kaylee says next week will come soon enough. She is so awesome. I wanted to make sure she wasn't disappointed. I think I might be, but it seems that Kay is feeling good at the moment and she is taking it each day for what it is. We feel good and that's what matters.

We have been checking into the hospital for 9 months. We stay and we leave at times. It has been a tough several months but it is going to get better. They said that we will not have to be back for one month once we get cleared for the maintenance phase. I can't wait. But it is scary as well. I feel as long as we are getting treated weekly that we are doing great. It can't last forever and we need to start getting back to normal. I think this summer will be very good to Kay. She says she wants to lay out in the sun. I told her that sounds great as long as she has on sun block and long underwear! Peace... :)

Sonic...

Today was a great day. I came into contact with an old friend from grade school who films the Sonic commercials for Barkley Evergreen. His name is Charlie and we went to St. Agnes together. He was a few years older than me but I remember him well.

I was told by my wife that a little girl who frequents Children's Mercy with us, Jillian Sharp, likes Sonic Drive-In. Jillian is a child that is fighting health issues as well. We are in clinic and occasionally admitted in the hospital on the same days. Her parents both went to the same high school as Tammie and I.

It just happens that Charlie is flying out to Phoenix to shoot a commercial with the Sonic crew this week. Charlie offered to get us signed pictures of the actors! We are excited to be part of the Sonic family even for a day! I'm so amazed at the kindness of people.

It is so nice to witness generosity from others. Most people might not remember that they over heard someone saying they like Sonic, but since this sickness thing I try to remember every little detail about the kids and what they like. Maybe it's because I know their dislikes, hospital visits, needles, and the inconvenience of being in the hospital when they should be at school playing.

I hope that Kaylee and Jillian enjoy the honor of someone taking the time to do something special for them. I know that they have so much on their plates that has to do with serious stuff, maybe this will give them a break for a moment. Thank you Charlie D.

Hike for Discovery Fashion Show

I want to thank everyone for helping us during the last several months. I was eating at Beauchamp's on the Rail in Lee's Summit, MO on Monday and Jeff McKinnel the GM called me into the office and showed me a flyer for a benefit in honor of Kaylee. The event is tomorrow at Jerry's Bait Shop, and it is a fashion show that will include a raffle. The proceeds will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Hike for Discovery program. It will help donate and generate money for the team that is sponsoring Kay. The person that was hustling for the program was Kate Mahurin. I called her unexpectedly tonight. If it was against the rules I apologize but I felt compelled to tell her thank you. Please make a donation to her in Kaylee's name. It is easy and quick http://www.active.com/donate/hfdmida/KMahuri I ask you to donate whatever you can. Please go to Kate's link and take a look. Forward the link to family and friends and remember that this is for anyone fighting blood cancer but it's my daughters team and it means the world to me. I really have never asked for any donations but I am today. I can't tell you how great everyone is at L.L.S. , they help families such as ours in a time of need. If you would kindly donate to this link I would appreciate it, so would Kaylee. If you can make the Fashion Show tomorrow it would be nice. I'm not sure if you'll catch me there at any certain time because we happen to have our cheerleader banquet at the same time. I am going to float between the two but I can't guarantee what time I'll be there. Please get involved in a great cause!

Kaylee and Chemo

Kaylee is at the hospital getting chemo today. It is an all day affair. She wore her comfy pajama bottoms and slippers. It is a home away from home, sort of. I would have never guessed that we would be regulars in the HemOc clinic.

I was looking a pictures from my birthday last year and thought how healthy we all looked. This year will be different because it seems a new life has started for us. Post cancer days. We were at Houston's on the Plaza last year and the dinner included my family, my sister's, and my sister Kim and Nick Vega. We did one last photo before we left the table and it was a good one. Everyone was surrounding me and it looked like they were there for me. All the kids had their arms around my shoulders. This picture means so much because it reminds me of one of those pictures you'll look at in the future and go "wow, that was a long time ago." The kids look young and us parents look like - parents. Pictures are great.

If anyone knows their school nurse and would like to inform them about a seminar the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is putting together that educates them on the signs of cancer, the methods of handling such incidents, and the effects of having kids going through treatment, feel free to pass the number along. The person in charge is Micka and she can be reached at 913.262.1515 and those who attend get educational credits. More importantly it is so comforting to know that there is someone at your school who might be able to look past what most of us would think is just the flu and catch something like leukemia or any other cancer. Please consider passing the info, another set of eyes and any education that might help our children is big in my book!

Break the Darkness...

Kay is feeling much better these days. She is starting to get back to that comfortable state. I think we do the long chemo treatment on Wednesday. She gets chemo then the flush. I hope we have little side effects. At this point its so hard to judge how Kays body will react. We need to take our medicine on a routine basis but it would be nice to get a break for more than a week. Treatment is our priority.

Today was an OK day. I stayed up too late last night and getting up this morning was a challenge of sorts. If I see Kaylee's light on then I stay up later. I never want Kaylee to fight the night alone. Kaylee has been sleeping longer and getting up later. Such a change from a week or so ago. I feel better knowing that Kaylee has one of us up to keep her company if she needs it. Night time can be a lonely time. Night time is a little more fun when your Dad is Michael Quijas and he resides in a room just a few steps from your door. I will go for the late night food run. Coffee if you can handle it. Hell, I've been known to take a late night cruise just to break the darkness!

Bigger things to worry about...

I was thinking about how certain things or circumstances don't really get me upset as they once did. I sit here ready to give examples and I can't think of any. Lets just say that there's almost nothing that can upset me. As long as it doesn't threaten me, I'm fine. Something about this sickness.

Since we started this recovery process I'm convinced that there are so many other things in life to get worked up over. Bad news, tragedy, and disppointment might be a few but petty issues aren't going to cloud my days. I choose to focus on good things. If something doesn't pose a danger or a need for immediate action then I pass these days on any kind of conflict. This makes me feel like I've grown as a person. Who would think that something like sickness could make you grow as human. It has opened my eyes to for the better.

I went to a Bone Marrow Drive this morning. The drive was for Kerry Magana. She is fourteen and battling leukemia like Kaylee. Just like Kaylee, she has A.L.L.. Kerry relapsed and needs a marrow transplant. I battled the weather and made it down for the drive. I was connected to the event by circumstances of health. If that doesn't make sense or the wording was wrong, I was also connected by my mild participation in promoting this important event. I received the info for the drive and had Kerry on the Hispanic radio on Friday, in the Hispanic News Daily Newspaper this last week and posted in charitable organizations across town. I felt compelled to help in one way or another. I feel her family's pain.

So what did you today? Well I hope you stay happy and conflict keeps away. If you need to find clarity in your life then look for good things even if it means sifting through things you think are bad. I would recommend that you stay from the events that guided me to see things different. But if heartbreak and saddness does appear I suggest you take whatever good you can find and try to do something great with it. Treat your family well and try to contribute to your community. You might make a difference.

Too little too late...

I dropped a $100.00 bill last night. I was at the Hy-Vee located at 77th & Stateline when I pulled money out of my pocket and unknowingly dropped a $100.00 bill on the floor. Some guy tapped me on the shoulder and handed me my money. I was shocked, told him thank you and he left. I was stunned for a moment. This young guy gave me money. No one saw me dropp this money and he could of easily kept it. He didn't.

I was so upset that I didn't give him my card, my number, or I didn't purchase his items. I was shocked for a moment, a moment too long because this person walked out the door. When it dawned on me that I didn't say the appropriate thank you it was too late. I was so mad at my self.

I could not believe that someone could do something so nice. I hope he is blessed with incredible Karma from yesterday on. This act of kindness was meaningful to me for several reasons. I felt blessed for moment that someone would do such a nice thing for me. It showed me that there is good out there. It was an example of good vs. bad decisions. It was an example of doing the right thing without being obligated to do the right thing. It was deeper for me than it might have been before our sickness.

If someone drops their money give it to them. If you need to tell someone thank you, do it before its too late. If you do good today then it will come back to you tomorrow. Good night!

The Weight of Love...

I went to the gym today after I found myself thinking how important it is that I be able to lift Kaylee or any other family member if the duty is called. Unfortunately for Kaylee that time has come for her. If she leaves her bed for any reason it is me who has the honor of taking her. I found my self feeling weak as I lifted this fourth straight day.

It makes me feel so good that Kaylee has her dad to do the lifting. It is scary to think what Tammie and Kaylee would do if I was gone or absent. They would make adjustments but being here makes me appreciate those roles again. Tammie has been sleeping with Kaylee and I have been lifting her. ROLES OF A PARENT!

It has been hard mentally the last few days. Kaylee is hurting from the pain and she is bored from the pain. Her only option is laying in bed and it is getting old. We get to the dining room table for breaks but that just isn't enough. She is getting messages from friends that are shopping, buying cars, and leaving for work. Pain on top of pain. But what do you do?

I caught myself looking at children in the grocery store today. I was scanning the little kids thinking how I never thought I would be carrying my fifteen year old girl when she was their age. The fact is that I was oblivious to the fact that anything could go whacky with my child's health. It just couldn't happen to me or mine. But it did!

We will get pass this moment, we will be fine. Bailee Woods came by the house today and it was so nice to see her and watch her move around. She looks so good! The last time we saw her she was in the hospital and barely conscious. Today she came by to see her good friend, Kaylee. When Bailee left she jump in the drivers seat of the car and drove her family down the street. I was so happy the Woods' came by today because I feel so attached to them seeing us go through the same kind of things.

Hot Gravel...

I feel like documenting our last few days today because I never want to forget these days. As much as I want to get this time period behind us I feel compelled to remember this moment for as long as I live.

Kaylee has been battling pain for the last few days. We have never encounter pain as bad as this round. It has been happening for 5 days. Her feet feel like she is walking on hot gravel. She can no longer walk and I have to carry her to her destination. We think it is the steroids but we are not sure. She can't sleep because the pain keeps her a wake. She is past crying and moans continously throughout the night. I watch the discomfort every morning.

Tammie has slept with Kaylee for 3 nights. She is helpless and can only watch. Tammie has tried wash rags on the head, heating pads, and rubbing. There is absolutely nothing we can do. Kaylee is so beautiful. She says it hurts her to see us not be able to lend that magic hand. She said she couldn't imagine watching her child suffer like we do. How powerful is that? She said as bad as it is for her, she feels for us. Beautiful, beautiful child.

It is amazing how you become immune to a situation. You have to to survive. I watch this stuff everyday and have learned to walk out the door and start my day. I have to admit that it is hard to concentrate when these tough times hit. I have to face the day and feed this family. So if you see me on the street and I seem distant please forgive me. I might be walking and talking but my mind is with a child who is battling sickness.

Delayed Mugshot...

My business profile in the KC Star was pushed back to next Tuesday. This week it looks like a landscaper edged me out. I'll let you know when it is in the paper. I thought it was going to be in this week's business section of emerging business but it looks like they didn't run emerging business. I guess my mugshot will have to wait another week.

Kaylee is plugging away. This chemo is the painful stuff so she is fighting aching in her bones and jaw. I forgot that this was the painful treatments. Our last few months were the treatments that produced sickness, unfortunately we had to revisit the painful stuff again. I hope she feels better soon. Kaylee is almost to the maintenance phase of treatments. I think that is right around March 1st. The maintenance phase is where it slows down with treatments and we see if the cancer stays away for good. Say a prayer for us that my child doesn't have to endure anymore mental and physical pain. We want this to be in our rear view mirror.

Have a good day and lets hope no one will ever have to write about cancer, children, or chemotherapy ever again.

A Great Organization...

We had a doctor appointment today. Kaylee is doing great and they said she should be able to attend school at the end of March. It was nice to hear that. I looked at her today and felt sorry for her. How does a child comprehend, justify, or accept that they are having to handle things that most of us never will. I've never heard her complain or say why me. That doesn't mean she doesn't think it. Hell I've never been through anything like it, but I have had experiences in my life that made me say "why me." I can't imagine what goes through her head.

I made a video promoting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Hike for Discovery program. It is an event that has Kaylee as a Honoree Patient. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJPx_LKWe14 If anyone is interested in finding out more info please call Daniel at 913.262.1515.

My next video is going to be for Team in Training. This event is awesome, I look forward to participating soon. Sandy Duncan is the person to talk to at the LLS if you need info on this awesome program. Both events helps fund research and offers families such as mine a helping hand in their time of crisis.

I encourage everyone to call the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and ask if you can help them in any way. Their number is 913.262.1515. Tell them Michael Quijas referred you.

KC Star...

Hello. I wanted to check in and say hello. I have been busy getting back into the swing of things since the conclusion of our admissions. We started a new cycle of treatments with Kaylee. This round is steroids and shots. Although it is less time in the hospital, it is torture for Kaylee.

The steroids affect your mood, your eating, and your appearance. There has been a change in mood and eating but no physical difference. I hate that she fears the shots. I hate not being able to take the fear away. We are with her on every step of the journey, but she is on her own with the taking the pain part.

I was thinking how important this blog was in helping me during our dark days. At first I was concerned how I might have came across with all the whining and whimpering, but it was my release for six months. It was so helpful to me and my sanity that I will never apologize. It didn't take me long to find my therapeutic release and I am grateful. I look at the alternatives and I admit that someone could easily indulge into something a lot less healthier then a blog. The pain and scare are unbelievable when it deals with your child.

I registered my non-profit, 10 Kids Insured, with the state and now I am filling out my 501(c) 3 paper work with the IRS. The wait for approval can be long, so I am running my foundation through the Truman Heartland foundation. This wonderful operation will expedite my cause without a long wait. It is very exciting. I am setting up meetings with insurance companies that see the potential and want to get on board with this wonderful cause. Different health care foundations are contacting me as well expressing interest. It seems like this idea to help kids with health care might just work.

InAd TV is doing great as well. I am installing McFadden's and Stroud's this week. We received the green light from the Power & Light district last Thursday. I am supposed to be Downtown in four hours. Ouch! The Stroud's install is one that gets me out of the Bar and Nightclub circuit and lands me into a family style atmosphere. Hooray! I like my bars and nightclubs but it will be nice to unveil my product & service in such a renowned place as Stroud's.

There will a story on me next Tuesday in the Business section of the KC Star. It is a section called Emerging Business, and they do a Q & A with entrepreneurs and my number was called. I am privileged and honored. It took long enough. But timing is everything, right? I hope I sound OK in the article. Take a look at the article and keep me in mind if you ever do an ad campaign. I hope to talk soon, thank you for every thing.

From My Friend...

Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.

Do you ever see something and know it was a message designed just for you. It might be called signs, a light bulb, or a premonition. Whatever it is you need to recognize it. I'm so scared to move forward with 10 Kids Insured. I am moving forward, but to do something that everyone tells me I can't becomes wearing. I have my crew around me rallying and I have family and friends supporting this dream but everyone else say's "If it's never been done then it can't be done" I beg to differ.

When I started InAd TV I had several people say the same thing. Today I have endured nearly three years of business and it is growing. I think that it is appropriate that InAd TV will get to birth a new way of thinking about children who are in households that make $1.00 to much an hour at Walmart to qualify for adequate healthcare for their children. It probably does sound outrageous that a man is proposing he use public restrooms from across the city to fund healthcare for our own children, Kansas City Children. 10 Kids Insured!

Life Works Best When You Do Things Unlike The Rest...

I can hardly sleep. It's not the stress like it was before but excitement. My new non-profit project "10 Kids Insured" is starting to get legs of its own. I meet with Operation Breakthrough on Monday. They are an organization here in town that does wonderful things for low income families. They said they could provide me families who need insurance. These families are often dealing with tough times and this helping hand from "10Kids Insured" would be priceless.

This cause feels right. I have made the decision to go forward even though I could research two more years, contemplate one more additional year, then maybe proceed. This would seem like the normal route I might have taken in the past, but today I have a different mind set. I will launch, make some mistakes, and learn as I go. Why wait for all the planets to line up. If I string this out then I might not ever do it.

If Operation Breakthrough can help provide the kids then a lot of worry is off my plate. I had so many people tell me that I couldn't proceed without the kids. I always believed that if I started on the path to make my dream a reality then all unknowns would find a way to work themselves out. But can you believe that someone would could find reasons not to do this? I mean I could find a million reasons not to get out of bed. But that's not me. I want to be the guy at the end of the day, who can get into bed and sleep soundly knowing that he is helping Kansas City kids stay healthy! In addition to that, I will be providing peace of mind to families who worried about health care for their loved ones. Who knows, I might make atleast one person sleep soundly as well. Life works best when you do things unlike the rest.

Kip Cleveland...

Do you like your job? I ask you that question because I absolutely love what I do. I'm sure that there's times that I've hated it. But today I love it. I love it when I hear people talk about In Ad TV. This is awesome for me because it's like my idea that got into the main stream. It was my pencil and eraser that penned out the name on a piece of scratch paper.

I sit in my office sometimes and listen to people make sales calls. They say I'm so and so from In Ad TV. I get a kick out of that. To hear that this thing has moved from the garage and into the real world is an honor. I think about the times I sat alone with this business on my back, weighing me down, and not knowing if this dream was really worth it. Today is has bought me freedom. It is my partner!

I suggest that you follow your heart and instinct if you should ever do your own thing. The forest gets pretty thick and resolution seems to disappear. I say this because I believe everyone has a part of them that would love to start their own business. This business might be a hobby that has potential. So many people I know get into a position in life where they think they are stuck. Stuck with that dry paycheck, crusty co-workers, and a miserable drive each morning. But let me remind you that you are not stuck. You can do what you want. Hard work might lay ahead of you, an investment of time may be due, but success is there for the taking. My drive comes from times that I would have a "NORMAL JOB" and hear my fellow co-workers bounce ideas off of each other for that next big thing.

I remember a gentleman named Kip Cleveland in Los Angeles. He was an engineer by schooling but was selling auto's in LA with me. He would always say "there has to be something better out there. That one thing that can take care of everything." He was referring to an invention, a service, a song. Anything that could let you enjoy yourself and pay your bills.

Kip quite and disappeared. Rumors floated around that he was driving a meals on wheels truck. Sure enough, I was standing on the lot waiting for a customer, when I heard a loud horn sound. I turn to notice a Hot Dog Truck or Coffee Truck, something pull in. There was Kip behind the steering wheel. He had made the leap. He is pushing out a product and turning a buck. He made the move and did what most others can't or won't do. Well I have to go but enjoy your day at whatever you do. Some of us will be putting toppings on hot dogs, others will be spending time in the restroom adjusting TV screens, and you might be answering someone elses phone. Let's just be happy that we are doing something and we have somewhere that we have to be.