So it has been just a little bit since the last time that I blogged, and to be completely honest these past couple months I have been busy and SO much has been going on. Life for me now is more different than it ever has been. Wow I had to stop for a second because I feel like that is a complete understatement. We have dealt with (and still are dealing with) pretty much everything that could happen to a husband and wife. We have been married almost 8 months and have been fighting opposition from every corner along the way. At the same time we have found that when we are together we can defeat anything. We may not have believed it at times, but looking back I don't see how we are where we are and still doing so well. The only explination is that our love is true. I could sit here and probably spend the rest of the night blogging about everything that has happen in the past couple of months. Since I don't want to do that here is the short synopsis: WE ARE POOR! Holy hell are we poor. Since we have been married I have no idea how our bills have been paid. Yes we got some things shut off a couple of times, but always find a way to get bills paid. Being poor puts a strain on EVERYTHING. I don't care who you are if you have 0 dollars to your name for the most part of the month then you are feeling some sort of pressure. I am happy to report however that after 8 months of struggiling we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I have been working for AT&T for the past month and a half and been doing what needs to be done and combined with Amy finding way after way to make money we have learned roughly about 99% of the lessons we will learn in our lives. This is not an exageration so don't think to yoruself that Oh these kids have another thing coming. You don't realize what we have gone through. I wish I was musically inclined because I could write about 156 heart filled albums and make millions of dollars. I still think to myself how are we at this pont and how did we not just crumble and fall like some many have done before us. My wife is such a trooper and that has helped so much. We are almost to the point of living a normal life and not one worried with how are we going to get gas in the car or know the only thing left to eat is ramen. I know that Amy is and it may be in a different way than me but I am changing so much. I look back 8 months ago and see how much I feel like I have endured and come out stronger. I feel like I am being molded into the man that I want to be. Still have a lot to work on, but I have scratched out the old and openly welcome the new. I have had this blog on my mind for probably a couple of months and feel like I left out everything, but I have a business meeting in the morning and rather focus on making money than writing down all the crap I have to deal with. Hopefully it wont be 2 months before my next blog.
First blog of 2009! First I love Amy and she makes me very happy. She is also a huge motivating factor. Like most people I have a new lease on things all thanks to the new year. I come into this year with everything new. I am now married, I live in Oklahoma, I have a dog, and I am starting a business. This is a really exciting time for me. I feel like life is coming together and the storm is passing finally. I have always talked about starting my own business and even "attempted" a couple of times, but this time is for real. I started 721 Designs and am working day in and day out on it. I have assembled a design team, started marketing, and am in the process of completing the website for an official launch. My whole life I always was jealous because other people knew what they wanted to do and had something they were passionate about. Really the only thing that has been consistent is me wanting to start my own business, so I was able to take that passion and mix it with another passion of mine...web design. I'm no expert by any means so that's why I hired a design team that will let me focus on the business side of things and let me do the smaller projects.
I honestly believe in my heart that 2009 is going to be a fantastic year for Amy and I. I have high hopes not only for us financially, but as a family and as friends. I am lucky enough to wake up everyday next to my best friend. I still can't believe that I am married to her, it hits me all the time and puts a huge smile on my face every time. Our marriage is my top priority this year.I am excited about everything this year and just ready to put my head down and run with reckless abandon until I get to where we want to be.
...have the most annoying dogs ever. We are "lucky" enough to have neighbors on both sides of us with big dogs (one neighbor has 2). I like big dogs, but these dogs insist on barking 24/7. This is not an exaggeration I promise these dogs bark in the mornin, in the evenin, and at supper time. This has led to less sleep and I am starting to dislike my office. I can deal with the sun that shines through for most of the day, but what I can't stand is that the neighbor's dog on this side likes to stay in the side area of the yard to bark and whine which makes me feel like it is right in my office with me. Me and Amy are starting The Company and our first target will be these dogs. Weapon of choice airsoft rifles and pistols. We are training currently, but will be ready to teach these dogs the meaning of quiet.
It has been awhile since I posted and since I gave Amy crap for not posting I should post something since she did yesterday.
Quick Update: Live in Oklahoma - It's Cold - Christmas is in 3 days - Amy is spectacular - starting own company - The Office is greatest TV show ever
In the midst of trying to find a job that will give us some income to count on, I am finally doing what I have wanted to do for a long time in starting my own company. I am in the process of putting together 721 Designs and am very excited about it. 721 Designs will mainly be a web design company, but will also offer other services such as logo design and hosting. 721 designs is scheduled to launch on Jan 1, 2009. There is a lot to do before then, but I am looking forward to the challenge and excited to get this project going. I am selling advertising on my site for $25/month with no contracts so if you are interested email me at rj@721designs.com.
Here's to great relationships, new endeavors, and the new year Merry Christmas everyone!
I know what you are saying right now..back from what? Yea I went on a vacation from the social networks of the internet in order to focus on more important things. Surprisingly it wasn't hard at all. I did find myself wanting to type in myspace.com a couple time, but that's because it was a habit.My hiatus proved nothing to anyone and proved nothing to myself as well. I did it because of the way that I was feeling last week. My focus has been on paying bills and working on projects for RJM Designs. I am starting my own web design company. I am not claiming to be the Da Vinci of websites I am just making money doing something I like to do. I have done a couple sites and am currently working on my own right now, you can stay updated atrjmccollam.com for the companies progress. Right now I am bulding basic websites for locals for an extremely resonable price. Wish me luck on that cause at certain times I can get frustrated, but it is something I would like to grow.Thanksgiving was very good. It was mine and Amy's first together, and can I just say that my wife is an awesome cook. The food was great and I am still enjoying what is left of it. She also decorated a little bit to make it feel like Thanksgiving, she is so creative. In fact right now she is in the bathroom making herself look like Britney Spears for our self proclaimed "Britnet Spears Day" because of the MTV special on tonight (I'm suppose to be dressing up as Justin Timeberlake).Things have not really gotten better since my last post, but I just wanted to be able to come back and do what I want to...blog.
There is a lot of shit that is going on right now in life. The days go by day after day and suddenly a week has gone by and I feel like so much and so little has been accomplished. There is this endless list of things to do and there is the pressure of bills and the world that seems to get heavier each day. I have not talked to anyone on the phone or even wanted to really deal with people lately because of everything that is going on. To much is going on to list, but when you are catching an average of 2 mice a day in your own home you know that times aren't the greatest. I really am trying to stay positive and strong, and the fight continues, I just feel like I am getting my ass handed to me right now. This has been the worst/best year of my life. It is crazy that that statement is 100% true. I care less and less about others as of now and really could care less about things like myspace, facebook, and this blog. With that said I plan on taking what I like to look at as a vacation from all of it. I need to focus on what is important and this fake life I lead in these social networks just isn't worth it. I really don't have that many friends right now so I don't have to worry about losing any, but don't expect me to be Mr. Happy these next couple of days, weeks, or even months. I am hitting the "off switch" on a lot of things that I do throughout my day that are pointless. I do appreciate the response I would get from this whether it came in the form of comments, emails, or even phone calls, but honestly none of that is neccessary and I do not want any of that right now. This is about Amy and myself fighting for life and doing what is needed to achieve it. For now I stay secluded...
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Life is a funny thing. We have an idea of what we want when we are young and as we grow up it changes time and time again. Sometimes it feels like we will never get what we want and it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Lucky for me my ultimate dream came true when I married Amy. Love is an understatement when I think about my wife, she is everything to me. I never thought I would be where I am in my life right now, but I wouldn't change it for anything. New dreams are being dreamt up as a family now and the future is exciting. The unknown is now welcomed because I get to spend it with my best friend.
