2011 SEND ME AWAY WINNER! :) Tammy's Tenacity To Success in CA...Totally Tantalizing! Ask me a question here!

I'll call you about wholesaling here in Texas!

-Teresa

When I present the deals to my buyers I do not supply the figures I have calculated for the deal other than ARV, Rehab/remodel costs and their buy price. They can figure the rest themselves and they do!

I have made all the calculations myself before I offer on the property. That way I know it will be a good wholesale deal for my buyers. At that point (I have it under contract) I let my buyers run their own numbers (they always do)
This is how I present the deal. It will sell for X amount. It needs X amount of work. This is your buy price. Let me know right away if you want it. Here is the address, here is the lock box. Thanks!

I don't supply down to the drywall screw rehab estimates for my buyers. I have learned that every buyer has his/her own ideas and costs involved in doing the rehab. I supply a monetary estimate that will bring my ARV.

I really don't try and "sell" the deal. I let the numbers speak for themselves. The buyer can verify that my numbers jive with his/hers and then buy the place. I always kind of let them think I am in the take it or leave it mode with them. Even if I am desperate to sell. I never let the buyer "smell blood" so to speak. If they don't take it one of my other buyers will is my attitude. No hard feelings, "I will send you my next deal if you don't want this one" type of thing.

Hope this helps,
Michael

I appreciate it. I do tend to show comps for them and just very conservative rehab (or in this case upgrade) numbers.

Also, this deal requires an experienced investor to understand and envision redoing the floorplan, and knowing that you don't take outdated comps and compare them to a high end upgrade. There are enough high end homes to make this happen to use them to do a high end ARV (8 of them; driven), but investors just take the outdated ones and use them as comps for the high end.

Its not a rehab, its an upgrade and restructure (poor floor plan). This house has 3 different ARVs based on the extent of rearranging as well as the as-is ARV, which is the only one investors are coming up with because they don't know what's going on in this little beach town. I'm beside myself because I know this market like the back of my hand and I'm seeing investors shoot it down because they're using comps based on a map, and not condition or type of property.

Would you suggest doing an ARV appraisal to show to buyers in this case? Its a subjective area. I have a buyers list of 60; (now 80) but they're going with the obvious ARV of the as-is bad floor plan value. There were 4 buyers that got it, but they didn't want to invest that much. I'm going to focus on retail buyers at the as is value and seek out the builders in the area (building in this city is going on like crazy.) I'm then going to have to tell the seller's what the issues are and why its not working out and try for a price reduction. I don't want to let them down.

I'll admit this is a project I would absolutely LOVE to do, its been a goal to do a high end rehab like this. So I'm distancing myself as much as possible from the deal and stepping back and looking at it like someone who can't see the finished house in their mind.

I may have a retail buyer for the property. At this point interest is very high. Since this property is in a subjective area with custom homes, and the area's prices are higher in general, I could not get an investor buyer. And, when investors came by, they could not see past the current layout. So I even drew out the vision to help them 'see' past the existing walls and choppy floorplan. Its turnkey except for some termite damage and an unfinished kitchenette, so we switched courses and targeted retail buyers. We have one interested, bringing a handyman by this weekend to see if he's going to take it for sure or not. Nothing is for sure with a retail buyer though; but I had to adjust to attempt to get it done.

So, out of 42 wholesale deals (co wholesaling and 3 of my own contracts) here in Southern CA, I've still closed ONE of them. This is why I'm going to start wholesaling all over the country instead of just here. I did my impact filter for this one, and maybe I missed something in my success criteria.

Advertised regularly (X)
Contacted my buyers (X)
Followed up with phone calls ( )Only the VIP ones (Maybe this was where I went wrong...)
Teach about the subjective market and area (X)
Teach about highend trend in the city (X)
Feel confident throughout (X)
Present deal well ( ) I thought I did, maybe I didn't. This may be where I went wrong too)
Have a high end buyer's list (started with 3 of them, now have 5 of them, and have about 80 total buyers on my list now) (X)
Meet the high end buyer's criteria (X)
Find buyers familiar with the city ( ) Found 3, but most everyone didn't even know the town...
Have a good deal (X...) Only house near this size w/in 1 mile under $999K; lowest $/sq footage in the area. Could try to go lower, sellers are motivated, but the husband was pretty difficult to get to this price.
Goto Investor clubs and present the deal ( ) I DID NOT DO THIS! I will have to find a way to make it to the investor clubs. This could be where I went wrong.
Get investors in the property to look at it (X) I wish I had gotten more, but the thing is there are so many comps here, and there are outdated comps and then there are updated comps, and then there are high end comps. Investors took the easy route, looked at a map, chose those comps instead of what kind of comp they were. Despite provide a list of driven and applicable comps to a high end rehab and rearranging. So, this is probably where I went wrong as well.

In analyzing this, I just need to go out and get what my buyer's want, and not what *I* want to invest in, even if FSBOs that can be negotiated are far and few between here. The numbers are right on, I practically was on over analyze mode for this whole deal.

Most investors don't get or understand high end rehab, or I have not met the right buyers yet, or my vision is just so far out there. LOL I think it boils down to that. A learning experience. Stick to REOs, short sales and off market vacants. Never had a problem showing this one as the seller's trusted enough to give a key.

My action plan is to call all my buyers and find out MORE detailed information on their needs and wants. Because this area is huge, many investors go all over, or say a specific area 'SOUTH BAY'.. well, this one IS in the South Bay, but not many knew the city or its uniqueness. So, I'll aim to get actual city names and zip codes.

Bummed, but have to choose to brush myself off and just do it again. NEVER GIVE UP! IT IS CERTAIN I WILL SUCCEED! Every day in every way I amm getting better and better! I feel healthy, I feel happy, I feel terrific and I have a POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE!!!

I put this post out and I'm surprised there has been NO response?!?! I know that someone could use $5K... Go check it out at http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/my-deals/112229/make-5k-n...

Despite the wholesale deal not being sold yet, the sellers understood completely about us not being able to find an investor or buyer yet, and gladly extended the contract. YIPPEE!!

I want to share with you one thing I LOVE about real estate. Helping people is incredible. If for some reason we aren't able to get the house sold, I have found a way that would allow her to stay in her house even after the divorce as a backup plan. It is so awesome to be able to HELP people and create win/win situations.

I also got a thank you card in the mail today from a lady I spoke on the phone with for about 20 minutes one day. She was calling on my rental property in NC when she opened up to me and let me know what had happened to her and how her current place she was rented had mold and sitting water issues amongst other things and she just couldn't stay there with her and her family. Her husband is in the Marines and they had moved there only a month earlier, and none of this was disclosed to them, and was not noticeable on the walk through. So, I spent some time telling her what recourse she has and about the inspection service she can have done through AHRN.

It turns out my house wouldn't work out for her, but she was so appreciative of all the information I gave her and she said she learned more in that 20 minutes than the whole time she had been renting houses. It was so nice to receive a nice card like that, and it totally surprised me because I had talked to her about 3-4 weeks ago. She took all my advice and was released from her contract and the landlord got in some trouble for the condition of the house.

On a sidenote, being a landlord myself, I can't understand how people can possibly rent out things in conditions that are like that to people, especially those serving our country! So, I'm glad that I was able to help her and that the landlord is not approved for military families unless he rectifies the situation.

My current tenant moved in on the 12th of May in NC and I got the exact rent I was asking for btw. The area is beautiful! Also have a buyer signing the land contract for my property in IN today. I had to tweak a date in there and they had their lawyer look over the contract and it passed with flying colors. YEAH!!! What a RELIEF!!

Well, got an 'interesting' call tonight from one of my good tenants. Apparently he isn't so 'good'. He called to tell me he is moving out tomorrow and a whole slew of personal stuff. 1 day notice. At least he isn't trying to cause any trouble and wants me to be able to rent it out fast and just said to keep his security deposit. (Of course).

I get to go see what condition its in tomorrow, he said it isn't bad, but we hadn't done the termiting we were going to do when we got stuck in the hard money loan, and the termites have been going to town. And, the termite inspector guy that was doing all our houses and is supposed to do his yearly follow up didn't do any of the annual follow ups because we didn't resign up for the service again on our primary house. (which we paid him to do...)

So, now I have 2 homes to market for rent or rent to own, wholesaling 1, finishing the land contract on another and a rehab that is just about done.And one hubby saying how we need to get out of RE right now because 'that damn hard money loan' and 'we need to get out of RE' ... *sigh* and life proceeds!

I feel healthy, I feel happy, I feel terrific!

In every day in every way I am getting better and better!

I will close my wholesale deal in ES! I will get good rent to own or renters in my properties. Yes, yes I will!

I met with Dean and did a video. Chad Merrihew was also there. This was awesome! On the beach, and relaxing with Dean's wife and kids was a great experience. I actually was more comfortable speaking at the boots on the ground that filming a video I'll get over it after I do a few more.

Sounds like you enjoyed your day. After talking with you yesterday, I realized just how much of a go getter you are! Can't wait to see the video; you've had my interest peak all day! Do we get to know what the video is about? Throw me a bone!

You give me encouragement that it CAN happen for me in So Cal as well. I look forward to seeing your future success.

Nice profile pic; looks like it was taken the other day!

I felt so bad that the kids were so loud when you were on the phone! LOL But, that is my reality and how I have to work, so I can phase it out. And yes, I took the pic yesterday with Dean on the beach. It was windy and cold. My hair kept hitting him and Mike. I've lost 15 lbs so far now, and a couple people have noticed! YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

Regina, your this whole REI journey is about mindset, attitude, persistence, determination and never giving up. Its so important to stay with it through all the failures, because the failures are just an indication you are getting closer to a success. I've looked to the DG family to help get me through the thick and thin of my journey, and I am so happy if I can help others to keep on pushing through to the end result. Getting to the end result can take a lot, a lot of time, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of trials and tribulations, and feeling failure at times. But, its all how you get back up after them that will count, because if you keep on going, you will get that end result no matter how many times you have to keep getting up again. There is a new place coming soon that would be so terrific for you! I can't wait to tell everyone about it! Its a great thing Dean is doing for the serious investors who are doing deals or actively pursuing the end result. I think you'll love it!

Keep your chin up, and repeat to yourself all the time "IT IS CERTAIN I WILL SUCCEED!"

Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better. (Even Dean noticed the difference in me from last year's Edge and this year's)

Love the new life I created for myself thanks to Dean and the DG family!

Congratulations on all your successes. Can't wait for the video! I was okay with the kids, but I thought it was not typical, so I didn't want to bother you when the kids were vying for your attention. Wow, you have really made this work; even with your children yelling in the background. I am impressed! I don't know if I could do all that with children yelling, goodness I have got to hand it to you. Your children are so cute too; saw them on the video!

Dean shares about his grandma and she was such an ultimate uplifter in his life. And when he talks about her, I wish I had a chance to meet her. We all need someone like that in our lives. And I know we all don't. I had my dad, and he thought I could be anything I set out to do; but at the same time, he felt like a complete failure. When he was alive, in his final years, he'd talk to me about this, and I'd tell him that he was the greatest influence in my life and that he had me and raised me so well.

My dad was a veteran; he was a literal genius. His IQ was at the top of the charts. He joined the Navy to pursue his dream; of being a captain of a ship. That dream was quashed when he joined the Navy, and only a couple of months into it, he fell ill. When he was ill, they were staying in tents outside, I'm not sure of all the details, but I know that others had rubbed their hands all over his tent, which back in that time made the tent's waterproofing fail. It was a rainy night and the tent leaked on him while he was sick. The next day, they forced him to work cleaning latrines. His fever was way above where it should have been; I don't recall the number exactly, but it was insanely high; well over 104 degrees.

That event triggered what was to be the rest of my dad's life. He suffered severe brain damage from the incident; and it was proven in court and he received Veteran's benefits the rest of his life. Even AFTER the brain damage, he was remarkably brilliant, but his nervous system was shot. Early on, they misdiagnosed him as schizophrenic, but it was actually revealed that he had suffered brain damage that affected his central nervous system. This caused him to blink very frequently and have anxiety attacks with anything live, and it was very difficult for him to socially be around people. And this is why he felt like a failure.

He told me I COULD when other's said I couldn't. He was always proud of me no matter what I did; small or large. He was never one to be pushy about getting good grades, and I brought home mostly As, a few Bs and then there was HISTORY... the only D I'd ever gotten; but BOY was it BORING (until I had this awesome teacher in college, where I received an A-! ) He never gave me a hard time; he just said there will be things in life you're good at, and things you aren't. He said there are no limits to what I could achieve excepts the limitations I put on myself.

As you can imagine, my dad was made fun of. We never had a car and walked everywhere, and my dad at one time bought this 3 wheel bike that he drove around town with. Of course a majority of the kids (and shamefully parents) made fun of him and looked down on him.

There is a gentleman who I see regularly driving all around town in one of those same 3 wheel bikes my dad had, and every time I see him, I have memories of my dad. I'm not sure why I share this now, other than to remember a large part of who I am is because of my dad. I need a talisman to remind myself of him, and I believe that man driving around town is such a great reminder of him. One day, I want to talk to that man, just to say hi and learn a little about him. I actually have a cross my dad carried with him everywhere, but I can't find it now. It was lost when the chain broke much like Dean's blog talks about today, except it wasn't in a busy road. I also have the flag the Navy gave to my mom at his passing. But, I wish I could find that little wooden cross! Saying a prayer for a miracle of finding a little 1" token talisman of my dad!

Hi DG family,
Well, the one the tenant gave notice for went FAST! 10 days to be precise before I got in a new RENT TO OWN tenant! This is the one in my SEND ME AWAY video, the one I bought at auction and rehabbed AND got stuck in the hard money loan for a year. The one that my husband will not let me live down BECAUSE we got stuck in the hard money loan. Well, since I signed the documents he's been pretty quiet about that...

__________________________________________________________________
Total Profit: 99K after all is said and done after ALL expenses for everything!!!

I have it rented to a really, really wonderful couple who are SO happy to have the opportunity to buy even though they have a short sale and some collections. I am giving them information on Phil Tirone's credit program.

This was the one I had a rent to own tenant originally fall through and delayed filling it for a month and then went to backup for a regular tenant.

So, I had gotten rheemed by a hard money lender, had a 1 mo delay in getting someone in the property, got into countless useless fights about it due to those things, and in the end, even with all the problems and what hubby considered 'failures' we STILL are going to make money on this one. The lesson: YOU MAKE THE MONEY WHEN YOU BUY THE HOUSE! I had $8K more added to my points and fees, I had a rent to own now work that fell through, My monthly payment was $450 more per month than originally getting, got stuck in the HML so ending up paying another extra $5400. ALL these things went wrong. And I'm still coming out ahead. Lots of stress, I vow NEVER to allow myself to be stressed out like I was on this one. Things always pan out in the end. Documents are signed.

Well, after 10 days, I posted on here to get help wholesaling that deal. Would have made $5K minimum for everyone involved. In the end, right now, there are SEVEN buyers wanting it and offering to buy it CASH. Would create a nice bidding war! Would probably make $20K total on it MINIMUM 9and sharing with my intern and if someone else brought in the buyer). I had several people find a buyer, and I found several of them myself as well.

Now, the problem, I had a nice talk with the wife after 15 days and told her about her other option of buying out the husband for the kid's sake at about 7 days; I originally was going to close on the deal; I wanted to do that deal with Dean (and I'm crying now because there are THREE properties in the very same city under contract that were $1.6M and $1.4M and $1.5M homes!!!). But, of course, Murphy's law came into play and wouldn't you know it, all of a sudden a HUGE influx of buyers from mine and everyone else's efforts. So, now, there are buyers, but not house unless the loan doesn't go through.

When she took her kids to the apartment, they were devastated and crying, and the MOM in me came out. I went over everything with her; ratios, requirements, interest rates; you name it. I know the mortgage industry backwards, forwards, inside out and upside down right now due to my vast experience. I run circles around the 'loan advisors' LOL But, I got her confident to try it and she is now refinancing. The husband didn't have an interest in buying out the wife.

We are in backup awaiting it to go through; but I warned her in this environment verbal approvals mean nothing. Heck, even getting through underwriting TWICE with the same LOAN didn't mean anything in my experience.

Banks are just CRAZY scrutinizing right now, and the underwriters are scared of losing their jobs. All it takes is ONE underwriter to think its to risky and they may lose their license to determine the fate of your loan, even if TWO OTHER underwriters gave it the go ahead. She isn't heeding my warning.

She has nothing in writing from the mortgage lender. She did not go with my guy who is ON TOP of things even though he would beat any rates and fees out there. She went with someone she worked with back in 2003. She doesn't understand how different loans are right now and that she needs a tiger to jump hoops for her to get a loan done nowadays. So, we shall see; end of this month, if she will qualify and the loan will actually go through and pay out the husband. If she can't, I'm going to all the buyers and letting them all know about one another; that there are SEVEN interested ALL CASH BUYERS and to give me their best and final offer. Top bidder will win in that case. Off market properties in Southern CA are rare and appreciated!

Hello Dg Family!
I have been MIA for the month of August to be with my kids a little while they were off school. If you watched the videos for the Insider's Elite, you saw me on Video #3. I will also be on Sunday at 11:15am PST on the live webcast. I am nervous! But, I hope you will all benefit from my story.

I feel healthy, I feel happy! I feel terrific!

~Tammy

Hey Tammy!
I loved watching your segment online yesterday! Cudos to you!
P.S I saw that comment that one of your children posted...too cute

Looking forward to what IE has in store for me

I live in San Diego and working on my 1st deal and am going to get it your posts encourage me.

Today is my birthday! And I choose to focus on the positive in my life. Right now, there are several negative things that I could allow bring me down. And, subconsciously, they plague me. But, I choose to shove them out of my mind and focus on the great things!

What I have to be so grateful for!

-I got to do a LIVE tv webcast for one of the most influential and life changing people in my life; Dean himself. There are not that many people that can have that wonderful privilege! It shows my efforts propelling me towards success. It shows other people notice my efforts and that they stand out in the ranks with the BEST of the BEST! I have built myself from a completely failing business, when told I should just shut it down and cut my losses, and that I would NEVER be able to buy any more real estate ever again by over 20 people, to THIS. I have proven every naysayer wrong!

-I have confidence for the first time in such a LONG, LONG time! There are things in life that can eat away at our confidence. Especially for us women! Ladies, you know what I’m talking about! I can stand up for myself! I can block out people who criticize me. I can block out the downgrades and the insults and know the person who is sending them my way wants only to bring me down to their level. In the past, I’ve LET them do it. I no longer do. I will no more. I NEVER want to be where I was. I used to be in a deep depression. I won’t EVER go back there. I don’t care WHO or WHAT happens, I, for the first time, believe in myself.

-I have built myself to a point in life where I utilize my knowledge to its full extent. I don’t see myself as ‘great’. I see myself as just an average person. An ordinary person doing extraordinary things. I grew up in a poor home with next to nothing. We didn’t even have a car; and all my clothes and toys came from second hand stores. But, I have overcome that situation and created my own destiny and outcomes. My parents would be proud of me.

-I am becoming the best ‘ME’ I can possibly be! I am a work in progress! I will do it one baby step at a time. Watch out, because this woman is going to blow your mind by becoming the best Tammy she can be!!! In the past 3 years, I can look back and see where I was; and where I am now. I may not be as far along as some others (and I can think of several people who I could be ‘jealous’ of because they’ve moved so much faster than me), but I am on a journey at my OWN pace. And, I will achieve all I set out to do because I put my mind to it. The mind is the most powerful thing we have. It can convince us we can accomplish something or it can bring us down and make us believe there is no advancement or going forward. It can limit us and take away our potential; or it can expand our vision to things we once thought impossible and make them possible.

-I fail often. I fail A LOT! Each time I fail, is a learning experience. I’ve conquered my fears; and continue to conquer obstacles. I look at failure as an opportunity to learn ways (or things) that do not work. The biggest fear I have is ‘did I do enough?’. Did I do absolutely EVERYTHING I could to achieve what I set out to do? My biggest fear is regretting that I could have done more and instead I chose to lay down and accept failure as the final defeat. This is why, each time I fail, I get up again. I face it head on, and I do what is necessary to turn the failure into success. And I will do that the rest of my life! With EVERYTHING in my life.

-I trust God. Now, this is about me and my walk. You many not believe in Jesus. You may not believe the Bible is God’s true inspired word. But, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. God is my savior. He is my light in a dark and dreary world. I do not lean on Him because I am weak; I rely on God because I am STRONG. And I know His power. Jesus died for me on a cross; and I am a sinner. I will never be perfect. I will continue to make mistakes. But I have a God who forgives ALL and everything! If I had to try to be perfect, I would fail at it; because no one can ever be perfect. My actions don’t bring me to heaven; the grace bestowed on my by God does. Again, we may have different belief systems, please don’t judge me on my beliefs and I won’t judge you on yours. There is far too much judging that goes on and it creates vast misunderstandings; even wars in the world. PEACE!

post! Hope you don't mind! Have a great day! YOu have much too be proud of! Four wonderful, cute kids, and the success you are making for you and your family. You have done so much with so little, so it amazes me! I share a birthday month with you!

I read about your father and you have such great fond memories of him; I hope you find your talisman! I myself don't or can't think of a person that influenced me so, but maybe I need to go deeper. I also know what you mean about depression; I too have been there. I think you are well on your way. Happy Birthday, now I am gonna go tell everyone! LOL Tammy

You have come a long way and have a lot to be proud of. You have earned it all.

Karen

Tammy,

For the years I have been coming to this site there have been a handful of people who always inspire me and have my upmost respect - YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF THAT LIST. You are amazing and I hope you have a wonderful birthday.

Its so good to see you! I have been absent for a while from here, but I will get my butt back in gear and get myself back here more often! HOpe your precious baby is doing wonderful!

Glad to see you come by to visit my journal. I need to revive it. Its pretty dull and drab; buried beneath all the posts here! I get more excited when I can impact someones life than doing a deal now! It is so great to be able to inspire others to change their life the way I've been able to change mine!

~Tammy
I feel healthy, I feel happy, I feel TERRIFIC! And I have a positive mental attitude!!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to an Awesome Lady! We are all super proud of you and know there is only more Greatness to come from you.

Heart you!
~Andrea

After doing a lot of getting ready, (Phone, web, message, PO Box, setting up an LLC, Etc. in 2009-2010 my husband and my investing went into the toilet. We did one great deal,....(I DID) and then the next two he told me all the reasons it would not work. So I said, " I would rather be married then be an investor, so I quite trying. It was reassuring to hear about your husband. It sounds like they were cut from the same cloth. I have started going through all my old DG stuff and lots of memories are flooding my mind. I am starting to set everything up again. Thanks for the journaling, it helped me to remember all the different bits. I wonder if I still have that old email? I am excited to learn how to invest out of state. I have set up an appointment with Nathan (success academy) on Friday. I have been reading about real estate hotspots. Hmmm, I have some good questions for him.

Happy Birthday Tammy -- one day late! Loved your blog and I can identify with several things you said in it. I too don't get much support from my family, so I choose not to talk to them about REI, and that's ok for now. When I do become successful, THEN I will talk about it! My son lost his job and I so much want to teach him REI after I get the system down myself. Working on building my buyer's list. I'll call you soon so we can chat! Hope you had a great birthday!
-Teresa

[
Sorry I am to new to know that it was your b day I hope you enjoyed it

quote=Zion Properties]Today is my birthday! And I choose to focus on the positive in my life. Right now, there are several negative things that I could allow bring me down. And, subconsciously, they plague me. But, I choose to shove them out of my mind and focus on the great things!

What I have to be so grateful for!

-I got to do a LIVE tv webcast for one of the most influential and life changing people in my life; Dean himself. There are not that many people that can have that wonderful privilege! It shows my efforts propelling me towards success. It shows other people notice my efforts and that they stand out in the ranks with the BEST of the BEST! I have built myself from a completely failing business, when told I should just shut it down and cut my losses, and that I would NEVER be able to buy any more real estate ever again by over 20 people, to THIS. I have proven every naysayer wrong!

-I have confidence for the first time in such a LONG, LONG time! There are things in life that can eat away at our confidence. Especially for us women! Ladies, you know what I’m talking about! I can stand up for myself! I can block out people who criticize me. I can block out the downgrades and the insults and know the person who is sending them my way wants only to bring me down to their level. In the past, I’ve LET them do it. I no longer do. I will no more. I NEVER want to be where I was. I used to be in a deep depression. I won’t EVER go back there. I don’t care WHO or WHAT happens, I, for the first time, believe in myself.

-I have built myself to a point in life where I utilize my knowledge to its full extent. I don’t see myself as ‘great’. I see myself as just an average person. An ordinary person doing extraordinary things. I grew up in a poor home with next to nothing. We didn’t even have a car; and all my clothes and toys came from second hand stores. But, I have overcome that situation and created my own destiny and outcomes. My parents would be proud of me.

-I am becoming the best ‘ME’ I can possibly be! I am a work in progress! I will do it one baby step at a time. Watch out, because this woman is going to blow your mind by becoming the best Tammy she can be!!! In the past 3 years, I can look back and see where I was; and where I am now. I may not be as far along as some others (and I can think of several people who I could be ‘jealous’ of because they’ve moved so much faster than me), but I am on a journey at my OWN pace. And, I will achieve all I set out to do because I put my mind to it. The mind is the most powerful thing we have. It can convince us we can accomplish something or it can bring us down and make us believe there is no advancement or going forward. It can limit us and take away our potential; or it can expand our vision to things we once thought impossible and make them possible.

-I fail often. I fail A LOT! Each time I fail, is a learning experience. I’ve conquered my fears; and continue to conquer obstacles. I look at failure as an opportunity to learn ways (or things) that do not work. The biggest fear I have is ‘did I do enough?’. Did I do absolutely EVERYTHING I could to achieve what I set out to do? My biggest fear is regretting that I could have done more and instead I chose to lay down and accept failure as the final defeat. This is why, each time I fail, I get up again. I face it head on, and I do what is necessary to turn the failure into success. And I will do that the rest of my life! With EVERYTHING in my life.

-I trust God. Now, this is about me and my walk. You many not believe in Jesus. You may not believe the Bible is God’s true inspired word. But, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. God is my savior. He is my light in a dark and dreary world. I do not lean on Him because I am weak; I rely on God because I am STRONG. And I know His power. Jesus died for me on a cross; and I am a sinner. I will never be perfect. I will continue to make mistakes. But I have a God who forgives ALL and everything! If I had to try to be perfect, I would fail at it; because no one can ever be perfect. My actions don’t bring me to heaven; the grace bestowed on my by God does. Again, we may have different belief systems, please don’t judge me on my beliefs and I won’t judge you on yours. There is far too much judging that goes on and it creates vast misunderstandings; even wars in the world. PEACE!
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