After graduation I worked the summer at Camp Laurel and in late August I joined my parents in Greenfield In where they ended up after moving out of Lebo the previous April. I worked for my Smith Publications (company my parents started, 2 local newspapers, sold in 86) 2 or 3 days a week until December 2.

That day I left for Navy boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Went to Journalism school at Fort Harrison where I received my orders for the CV-60, the USS Saratoga, a Forrestal class carrier. I had a blast with 2 Med Cruises and a homeport in Mayport, FL and had one hell of an education. I was honorably discharged with the rank of E-4, BM3, Boatswains Mate 3rd Class. In retrospect I should have stayed.

I joined Smith Publications again in 77 and was married in 78. That union produced 1 daughter and I gained a step daughter. In 86 Smith Publications was sold and I was divorced, what a banner year!! For the next 2 years I worked as Production Manager for Indy Sports (a glossy monthly magazine) and The Indianapolis Outlook (a weekly tabloid for Indy). In 88 while doing sales and layout for PIP Printing I met my second wife.

The printing field was changing and for some odd reason I ended up as a laborer on a construction crew. I loved it and for the next 14 years I installed windows, doors, bathroom's, built garages, room add-on’s and siding. The last 4 years I was a subcontractor running my own crews. During a very slack winter in 2000 I helped some friends remodel a bar. During that spring work slowed down and I had the time to work security (bouncer) for Slammin' Sammies, the bar I helped remodel. After 6 or 7 months I was asked to tend bar in addition to bouncing and remodeling. I thought why not and joined the night staff. I was made head bartender in 2002 and wouldn't you know it, I got divorced, again. No children in this union but gained another step daughter who I still see to this day.

So, I started life over, again. I left the bar in 05 and returned to remodeling. But with the money crunch on, jobs were far and few. I supplemented my income here and there (wink wink, nudge nudge) and in 08 was given a chance to go to Alaska. I was a "housekeeper" while in Metlakatla and Ketchikan. Beautiful state. I was there for about 6 months then returned home to Indy. I continued working for the same woman and I was remodeling her house in Joplin MO while she lived in Wildwood NJ. Boy, talk about a commute!!

It was during one of those commutes that I met the woman I'm presently engaged to. She's helping me start over, again for my third time. I came from a family with 3 younger sisters, I raised girls!! Mary has 2 boys, 25 and 14 and Patrick, the eldest presented us with a granddaughter who'll be 3. My daughter has 2 children, 15 and 1 and of course, both beautiful girls.

My mom, Pat, passed away about 12 years ago and my dad passed this last March. My 3 sisters, Carla (73), Tami (74) and Traci (76) are all happily married to their first loves, 30 plus years each defying the odds greatly!!

Mary and I presently live on the far west side of Indy. We hope to make it out but it may end up as a day trip, hope not!!