this book was written by a man who has lived, worked and raised a family while at the same time suffering as a compulsive gambler in las vegas nevada.it is hoped that this book will serve as a warning for those who may be attracted to the big city lights of las vegas.this is a true story of a man who after over thirty years of working in the often lucrative construction industry now has next to nothing due to a compulsive gambling problem.

Dr. Peter "Pete" Delaney seemingly had everything going for him. A nice house, a loving family, and a thriving dental practice. But beneath the facade lay unresolved issues which would lead to a never-ending circle of self-destruction, addiction, and ultimately losing everything. Overweight, an addict, and incarcerated. Facing the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, Pete came to a crossroads; give up or push up? Contemplating suicide, he chose the latter. Prison provided limited resources and support to work on elevating one's life, so he put his hands on the concrete floor and started pushing himself up. In "Rock Bottom to Rock Solid," Pete reflects on the trouble that landed him face down on the floor, and his life-changing experience of being an inmate in Connecticut's prison system. Pete's introspective story explores, defines, and maps out the fall, the transformation, and the ascent to a better and stronger self. Working on his body first, Pete found that the mental benefits quickly followed and rapidly surpassed the physical ones. Learning from the workout habits of other inmates, he was able to develop a bodyweight workout routine of pushups, pull-ups, and the ab wheel that provided him with the best possible results for his body and mind. By outlining his journey to a better, stronger self, Pete shares what works for him. The book provides an excellent guide to increasing your fitness with tips on improving your workout game, your diet, achieving your goals, and bettering your overall outlook on life. Pete's bodyweight workout program is simple, cost-effective, and something that anyone can do. Best of all, it is a great way to "own your workout with your workout owning you." Learn to love your workout. Love yourself. Seize the opportunity and get started today.

Just over a year has passed since I started recording my life in journals. I want to start from the very beginning when life was not worth living. May my fingers be guided in this writinga]. In life there will always be challenges, some big, some small. With a positive attitude all things can be overcome. In the beginning of this year, 2008, I committed myself to the care of my mother (who just turned eighty-five), when I moved her into an apartment with me. My mother spent three days a week at the Meals on Wheels Day Center while I worked. Just a few weeks ago she suffered a fall and a fractured pelvic bone, making it extremely painful to get around. I found it necessary to leave my employment and become a full-time care giver. Today, sober for well over a year and a half, my life is all about the happiness and well-being of Mom. Oh, yes, there are those moments of frustration for both of us, but those moments quickly pass into a new moment and all is well.

This book is designed for those that desire a closer relationship and fellowship with the Father. As the reader reads this poetry, we feel once they grasp the idea to look at our Father and not the situation(s) they may face, they will find that God is a way maker and in his presence there is peace. So many times in life, we awake in a strange land; meaning, this is a new place in our lives and/or families, we are not sure how we got here or how to get back to that first love, which is God. We can have all of those things that God has designed; all we have to do is to ask. We communicate with our Father when we read, pray, fast, talk, and sing to him. Giving a total submission to God and allowing him to shine through our being, readers will find that when God has our undivided attention, how he turns a bad situation to a glorified project for his kingdom. When we dont communicate with God, we experience separation, and this makes us feel that God is far away from us and perhaps we may even feel that he has given up on us. This is the flesh and carnal nature talking to us, based on our emotions. God is with us even when we hit the bottom.

An exciting trip below the surface of Michigan's rocks and fossils. Most people recognize Michigan by its mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula and the Great Lakes embracing the state. Underneath the earth's surface, however, is equally distinctive evidence of an exciting history. Michigan rests on sedimentary rocks that reach down into the earth's crust more than fourteen thousand feet--a depth three-and-a-half times deeper than the Grand Canyon. Within these layers of rock rest all sorts of ancient fossils and minerals that date back to the eras when tropical seas spread across Michigan and hot volcanoes flung molten rock into its skies--long before mile-thick glaciers bulldozed over Michigan and plowed through ancient river valleys to form the Great Lakes. Under Michigan is the first book for young readers about the geologic history of the state and the structure scientists call the Michigan Basin. A fun and educational journey, Under Michigan explores Earth's geological past, taking readers far below the familiar sights of Michigan and nearby places to explain the creation of minerals and fossils and show where they can be found in the varying layers of rock. Readers will learn about the hard rock formations surrounding Michigan and also discover the tall mountain ridges hidden at the bottom of the Great Lakes. With beautiful illustrations by author Charles Ferguson Barker, a glossary of scientific terms, and charming page to keep field notes, Under Michigan is a wonderful resource for young explorers to use at home, in school, or on a trip across Michigan.