One Lucky Penny

   This truly has been a great few days.  We are packing to try and head back to KC.  Looks like it might not happen with the snow storm in KC, so we might be delayed a bit.  I shot some fun videos, saw some things I always dreamed of seeing and put together a knowledge of the roads.  I now know where the Tonight  Show is and what is around it.  So now it’s back to KC to get the show on the road.  These next few weeks are going to be fun.  I will be getting advertising on Winnie FINNALY.  Rick has been working on the new website and is about 75% done.  We are going to be having different things on there. 

   So now it’s off to raise more awareness.  I’m learning even more about what it can take to live out a Dream.  Sure it can be a lot of work, but the reward can be unbelievable.  I don’t think that if it was easy it would be as rewarding. 

    I was posed a question last night that keeps me on track.  What if you absolutly knew that this was your last week to live on this earth?  Sure we have heard that question, but last night I really thought about it.  Sure we need to plan for the future, but we also need to live in the present.  Dreams are both planning for the future and living right NOW.  Yea that’s cool.  Our family is the same way.  We must plan for colleges and marriages, retirements, BUT we also must enjoy them right now.  The moment!!!  I hope to do an update when I get back.  As it looks it might not be until Tue. So keep us in your prayers for traveling.  Take care everyone.

Maranatha

Todd

 

 

   It started off with Sheila leaving me to go to here conference.  We decided to rent a car because transportation to all things we wanted to do later would be pricy and we would stand and walk a lot.  So back to LAX to get a car.  They didn’t have a GPS available so good old Todd had to find my way back to the hotel by myself. LOL  Yea it took awhile.

  After Sheila was done for the day we jumped in the PT Cruiser and headed off to the ocean.  I just couldn’t see enough.  We went to Santa Monica Pier.  It was very windy and cold, but great.  We walked out onto the pier where I met Dan who has been coming to the Pier for 50 years on his bike.  He filled me in on a lot of the history. LOL  While I was talking to Dan a CRAZY person decided to talk to Sheila and told her that he and 2 people had the power to stop the sun from coming up.  So we better respect him. LOL  AWESOME!  We met someone with great power. 

  Then I had to go down and touch the water, because you don’t come all this way and not touch the water!!  As we got down to the water edge.  Sheila said TODD come here. I turned and she said look.  I looked down and there among all that sand was a shiny penny.  It was like God saying Happy Birthday Todd.  You will see a video later.  It was touching. 

 So after that we took off to drive to the According to Jim show.  It took awhile to get there but on the way we went past Rodeo drive and Hollywood Blvd.  We will be going there today.  The show was great and was a great way to end the day.  I will give a detailed video when I get back.  I’m learning a lot for my trip back here so the whole trip has been great so far.  I will be back tom. to let you know what happens today.

Later,

Todd

  Yep today is my birthday and I’m going somewhere I only dreamed of when I was younger. Hollywood. 

   Just a day to Dream I guess.  God gives you those moments I think.  You know like noticing the beauty of a flower or the amazing beauty of wilderness or fall season with all the leaves changing.  He wants to award us to know He cares.  A couple of months ago I didn’t think I would be anywhere close to here.  But here I am.  I know you think what’s the big deal Todd?  I guess it’s just the chance to walk around and revive my spirit a little.  Sure I know I would never be a big time actor, but it’s something my heart enjoys.  So it’s like God saying Happy Birthday Todd.  I would venture to say today will be filled with something crazy. LOL  So I will update later on this day. 

Yesterday I ate in a diner that has NEVER closed it’s doors and has been open 24 hours a day since 1971.  It’s called The Original Panty.  I had a hamburger that tasted like it was left over from opening day. LOL  NO just kidding.  It’s fun to see that sort of stuff.  I also ate somewhere people in California think it’s the bomb called In And Out!  Yep it’s like a burger joint.  It was actually really good.  I also visited the outskirts of like Korea Town I guess something like that.  I will update later on.

Todd

    It was let’s say an interesting night. LOL  I got off the plane and waited about 35 minutes for a shuttle to take me downtown to meet up with my wife.  She was waiting so I quickly changed and we took off to the Diva Bling Ball. LOL 

     Yea that is just where I needed to be.  It was the Ball for the Event Conference she is here for.  I must say I have never experienced anything like it.  We went in to walk over a see through floor with some crazy lighting to come upon some models dressed head to toe into shiny suits standing in a 12 inch pools of water.  There were I think three.  They were like large water fountains. LOL  They could move thier hands and the water would shoot where ever there hands moved.  It was really cool. 

    Then we rounded the corner to go up a set of stairs and down into the event. Decorations were huge a colorful.  Not to mention the people. (Huge and Colorful is a good description) LOL  We experienced like 3 different bands with some dancers that I guess were artistic.  I was able to grab a bite to eat.  They had it set up about 200 feet long.  So I jumped in and grabbed me a coconut that was cut in half with some little shrimps and like some salsa stuff.  The problem was when you were done eating it and had to put it on the table it just rolled around.  I don’t think they thought that through.  THEN  BANG BANG BANG  Confettie cannons started going off and lights and music crazy stuff.  All I can say it was different.  I couldn’t imagine going to a big LA party.  So it was cool.  I did take a short video of Sheila and I so you will be able to see that when I get back.  Alright I have to go and get ready for Anthony to come pick us up.  He just moved here doing some ministry work so it will be good to get out and drive around.  I hope to take some more video tom.  Take care.

Todd

  I will be running around LA having fun.  I can’t wait to let you know how this little adventure goes.  You just never what lies around the next corner.  That is exciting to me.  I guess it’s the not knowing.  Sure it can be filled with dissappointment, but it’s the fun stuff that makes it exciting.  Ok I will update tom. When I get the chance.  LOL  I will talk to all of ya later.

 

    It would be an understatement if I said I wasn’t excited.  Sheila (my wonderful wife) went out there yesterday for her event conference.  So since she is there I’m going out Wed. night to have some fun.  While she goes to her classes on Thur. and Fri. I get to roam around.  Oh am I pumped.  It is the furthest west I’ve been since going to Phoenix to get the computer.  Bad thing is this trip comes in Jan. when money is tight because the painting world slows down until about March, BUT as many of you have seen I don’t need a whole lot to have a good time. LOL 

Sheila talked to the doorman of the hotel and he gave her some insider scoop about going to see some tapings of shows.  She got some tickets free tickets to watch a taping to Life Accourding To Jim with Jim Belushi. Oh Yea.  Also there is a schedule of where different movies are shooting so I might try and watch some of that action as well.

     Ever since High School I dreamed of going to Hollywood.  Now I’m 37 and going on a short trip.  As some of you know I do some acting and One of my Dreams was to be in some show.  Right now I am lucky enough to perform in my church.  I really love it.  It allows me to get my fix. LOL  Man but back when I was younger I was sure that’s what I wanted to do.  Situations change and life has a way of leaving those dreams in the dust and you never think it will come back.  THAT is not always true.  God works things out and always has a plan even though it wasn’t what I was thinking.  So these next few days I will just enjoy the time.   I will Dream and picture where I plan on driving Winnie too in LA.  I will see where Jay’s studio is and see the layout of the land.  I will Dream!  Now that will be fun.  Oh yea and try not to get mugged. LOL (Reality)

    I will try and shoot videos of me out on the strip and around town.  It should be fun.

God Bless,

Todd

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What is that old saying Plan your work or Work your Plan,  No Plan equals failure.  I don’t know. 

Well I’m starting to get some kind of Plan in place.  Like I said before everyday I try and do at least ONE little thing toward the final goal.  It’s those little steps that take you closer.  So I might shoot an email to Oprah or a news station or talk to someone about advertising.  Ok some are stranger then others, BUT it is a step in that direction.  I think I’m just as guilty of not having a plan then most of you.  Take my job for instance.  It’s a small business that has given me great highs and major lows in about 14 years.  Don’t get me wrong I do my job very well and believe people can put their just in me, BUT it doesn’t excite me anymore.  Sure I used to be about money and wanted to have lots of it and rule the little painting world of Kansas City, but it was chasing something like money.  It didn’t bring me the happiness I thought it would.  Now I have taken a slower approach and just focus on life itself. I also know I need to plan for my families future and take care of financial obligations, sometimes those plans have some ups and downs. God blesses the phone to ring and me to have work.  HE knows that is our need, but HE also knows that life has more in store.  I tell you that getting one email or letter from someone I don’t know telling me about what there Dream is, is more fulfilling then I could ever imagine and joyful.  NOW that is living!!! In the last 4 months I can tell you that my life has changed and my focus has changed too.  Sure I’m just a goofy guy, but God has given me a gift to be goofy. LOL  I’m sure you all have seen it.  It really is a gift. LOL 

This year will be a year of Awe!  That’s what my goal is.  To watch what God has in store and what direction it will go. NOW that is going to be fun.  Here is the platform.  A goofy painter, a 1972 Winnebago, about 100 people a day (still growing) on my blog checking out what is going on, meeting Jay Leno, reaching more people and hearing their dreams, hopefully a trip across the USA, inspiring others to listen to their hearts, God sized dreams.  Isn’t that going to be a great year? I think it will be a great year. 

Thank you to all that have followed this long.  

 

Good question.  I’m still alive and kicking.  Big things are on the horizon.  Video of me beng a little sick and giving a short update.  Take care.  Click read more button for video.

  Well we made it home last night.  Long day of driving.  So now I have a bit of a cold and working on getting better.  Check out these videos from the trip.

 

    Well it looks like we could be here awhile.  It started with freezing rain yesterday then turned over to snow about 3AM.  Well it has snowed about 10 inches and they think it might get to 20 inches by tom.  There isn’t to many people around to plow the roads. LOL  So my father-in-law will be getting the tractor out after awhile to dig us out.  Have you found McDonald Kansas on a map yet?  LOL  Life is so much slower out here it is nice.  Like I said before it gives us a chance to hang out as a family more.  I made a sweet snow igloo that 3 people can fit into.  I always wanted to do that when I was a kid.  I think God is giving me a little rest before something big happens.  I cherish these moments.

    I hope this message finds you well.  I hope to update blog with video and such when I get back.  I have 2 advertisers to get there stuff together and put on Winnie.  I can’t wait.  

    Send me an email or something it’s been very quiet this week.  Is there anyone out there????  

later,

Todd