Author: Kathy Pickett

I'm a wife, mom of 2 and have always been a huge fan of WWE’s the Ultimate Warrior despite his passing. I created this blog to share my stories relating to him that happened years ago and some are continuing today with his Spirit alive and well! I hope some fans out there relate and enjoy my blog!!! Check out my book “Spirit and Belief” on how Warrior influenced me in spirit. It is filled with humor, family stories, psychic terms, following my intuition, and how everyone has natural abilities we can tap into or get guidance upon.

“These Dreams Go On…” 😴

Another month is upon us~~~ July. I always loved this time when younger because it was the only month of no school, ha ha! That’s still applies to my kids but tomorrow here in the U.S. brings our Independence Day. I love fireworks 🎆 🎇🧨 always, but it scares our furry dog friends~ including mine. However you celebrate and if you do, stay safe. Happy birthday America! 🇺🇸 ❤️🤍💙Today though is my sometimes partner in crime’s birthday~ my brother. 🥳🎉 This year so far I wrote on my dad’s 80th, my daughter’s 18th, and now my bro’s! No milestone for him but yet another family birthday. I’ve had many other dates that fall on blog day and it continues.

The dreams continue as well, although not as frequent as before. I used part of a lyric above from the group “Heart” as music connects for me, regulars know this. A little while back 2️⃣ dreams came so I will share those today. They both showed different times in Warrior’s life but went in reverse. The first one was how he looked 10+ years ago, but the second one was probably mid 1996 with his long blond hair. I was there for both as the first one concerned an interview Warrior gave about his career. Not sure who was interviewing him, but I was nearby.

I can’t recall any specific questions, but I do know what Warrior said afterwards. He was questioning some of his answers, asking:” Did I say too much?” “I probably did, didn’t I?” “I rambled on, I shouldn’t have said all that…” Well, even though he said a few of those statements~ it all depends on what was being asked, I believe. Sometimes he would go on (as I tend to do…🤭) but then other times, he wouldn’t over share and that’s OK too. Warrior was always honest so perhaps he would not have regretted his answers but that’s what I heard while listening on the side~~~backstage if you will. That was the gist of the dream but we do tend to critique ourselves as I KNOW Warrior did during his final RAW speech too, but not sure of what was asked of him in this dream. I was glad to have been there witnessing one of his many interviews later on after he left the business and could contribute his own brand of speaking.

The second dream, I was more involved with. I wanted so badly to find a pic to use with a similar look of Warrior’s then, as I know I have seen a few. They were probably part of several workout videos he had put out there but I failed to find exactly the specifics of him wearing a white sweatshirt, red bandana, (like the workout vids) and had his long blond hair pulled back.

We were both sitting at a long table going through paperwork for some reason. The funny part is~ once again, my real life here intervenes. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine posted an old pic several years back of me sitting around our bonfire during the book club days. It was on Instagram. I had on a sleeveless red shirt as it was summer *** AND*** I was wearing that shirt in this dream! It actually started quite a different way. At first, it was me and my mom in my childhood home looking at old black-and-white family photos like a collage. Maybe that came to me because of my daughter’s project. She has been assembling a collage with all of her friends high school memories and it’s quite the task . I applaud and admire her efforts despite this crazy summer.

So, maybe those influenced my paperwork dream with Warrior, who knows? 🤷🏻‍♀️I could see him looking through much, handing it to me, signing stuff, etc. No idea what it all was about and no recollection of any convos either. I was obviously involved along with him in this project, and we seemed to keep it moving quickly! We were on a mission, that’s for sure. Think more like signing documents, not autographs. 🤔☺️

Well, there you have it warriors on this first post in July. 2️⃣ dreams showing Warrior in different aspects of his life with me “tag teaming” in, sort of. They were great to be part of since believe it or not, dreams are becoming quite rare these days. I know his energy is always there but we have evolved and as much as I miss those kinds of dreams, it is what it is. I did however, happen across a Bluejay feather last week on Wednesday~ yay! AND it was the day of an energy healing session for me. It was beautiful to receive because I decided on another practitioner of late and was a combo of nerves and excitement. 😬😁

As it turned out, she was adorable! She listened to me as I told my story, ( of course she became fascinated…😏) and I even showed her in the shop where a few of my books were. She is writing one too! Every day she comes into the store, she notices my book with its pop of color. 💚🩷🧡I received the sweetest compliments from her despite not really pursuing the author lifestyle. She pointed out my vulnerability and opening up to even write such stories so that touched my heart. It’s not a baby book anymore so hearing those words made me light up. 💡I will probably see her again and not just for the kind words. What a beautiful soul she is and we bonded over many things. 🤍

*** Until next week, keep your dreams close warriors and happy July! Oh, my book: ” Spirit and Belief” is out there wherever you purchase if interested! 📗 It explores the beginnings of following Warrior’s career in wrestling, dreams, and this spiritual connection I have. Lots of good stuff with short ‘lil diary type stories that I hope inspire any of you! 🥰👏🏻💪🏻

P.S. I was also called : ” a beautiful ray of sunshine.” ☀️ 🥹😉

I’ll take it as I love summer, ha ha! 

The Warrior WHAT’s?😏😬

Here we are at the end of another month warriors, as I resume these writings after taking last week off. More on that vacation in a different post as this one is “JACKED” with lots of well, you’ll get the idea if you just look at my selfie. It’s a fun one so I hope you stick around until the final bell rings🛎️if you will.

I initially wanted to call this post: “Things that Make you Go Hmmm…” like the C & C Music Factory song but decided to go with my own title instead. I thought of 5️⃣ things but numbers 3 and 5 I knew or at least were aware of prior. 3 are songs or lyrics and 2 reference gear or perhaps Warrior’s look at the time .

Let’s “lock up” and start this match.

Here’s number one.

First up is when Warrior partnered with Sting back when they were: “The Blade Runners.” The music they used was: Styx’s “Castle Walls.” This I had known for a while, but only because someone commented on a YouTube video. I did know that song, but forgot that instrumental part which totally fit with The Blade Runners vibe I think. Look up the song as there’s one lyric which struck me. It’s about destiny at the end. Do you think Warrior was influential with choosing the song or maybe it was chosen for them? I don’t know but just a little trivia once again. I can see him beginning his destiny even back then. This starts the Warrior WHAT’s?

Number two.

Did you fans know when Warrior was Dingo, his theme music briefly became Bonnie Tyler’s blockbuster hit: “Holding Out for a Hero” from the movie: “Footloose?” My girl just was part of her school musical in the spring, where the kids performed “Footloose” so very nostalgic for me. I love all the songs! 🥹I never knew he used that song, only “The Warrior” by Scandal. Perfect song for him, don’t you think? 

Number three.

This one is about Ultimate Warrior’s gear. This one is also probably quite common. Warrior had said he didn’t want to necessarily accentuate his looks but yeah, very much talked about~~~ A LOT… When Warrior and “Macho Man” Randy Savage tag teamed in a match versus “The Nasty Boys” during the SummerSlam Spectacular event in 1992, the Ultimate Warrior came out in a nude singlet. 😮If you read comments on this match from YouTube, the match itself barely gets mentioned but most are asking if Warrior was NAKED?! Really people? 🫢Use your brains, 🧠 but it just shows you what the topic mostly was about. Why did he wear that? Maybe just to garner more attention with him and Randy or to be different as he always was. I’m not entirely sure but boy was that ever the issue. Yeah, he painted his bare A**!!! 😂😜

Here’s number four.

We are back to songs again here. This one also references Warrior’s look as well (or at least in my mind…) Many fans may be aware of some guys after leaving WWF(E), went to Germany in 1995 with their CWA for a bit. Warrior had several matches but of course couldn’t use his theme music of “Unstable” so what to use? Well, I happened to come across some videos a while back as no, I am not looking them up all the time. I saw Warrior come out and thought that music sounded like a band I knew. I kept listening and then finally looked it up. The song is: ” Sticky Sweet” by Mötley Crüe. Not as popular on the radio as some of their others. That’s another song you can look up with some of the lyrics. Warrior was definitely playing to many of those physical attributes of his if you know the song. 😏 That brings out that girl who is always waving at me 🙋🏻‍♀️as I see her~~~ she makes me giggle but I don’t push her aside anymore. She is there for a reason, and I applaud 👏🏻 her. Great song and it worked for The Warrior for sure. I can be biased, but it’s all ME!!! He wore pants then too, there is a line in the song about that. 👖🔥😉

This last one of number five brings us to 1996 involving Ultimate Warrior’s feud with Jerry “The King” Lawler for “The King of the Ring” tournament. 👑This final one is that girl coming back… 🫣On “The Ultimate Collection” DVD, Warrior mentions how he was in the best shape of his life then and coming back after being gone 3.5 years, he wanted to give people what they remembered about the character~~~ namely, his look. They show right at that moment a clip of U.W. and I always noticed his trunks. You’ll read why… Maybe you don’t or haven’t but I just laughed once again right when he says: “his look…” ( meaning the U.W. character,) my head tilts the side. Why? Well, I’ll tell you… His trunks which of course depict the famous logo. He had put 2 on the front pointing inward along with the back so they are positioned just so on the side. Yep, I noticed. His look! Kathy had tilt, ha ha! I promise that is *** NOT*** typically me as I loved when his face paint would wear off but with that intro, how could I not make that connection? I was not always looking SOUTH! 🙂‍↔️Come on guys reading~~~ you notice the ladies and their physicalities right? Why were the logos sideways and not straight? Maybe there wasn’t enough room. WHY??? Always makes me giggle every time as Warrior knew what he was doing. I bet he noticed, but if not, it makes my WHAT’s? list for sure!

There you have it readers. My top 5 of Warrior WHAT’s that made me go hmmm. 🤔I bet you fans can think of your own. Maybe in a future post, I’ll list some others.

P.S. I laughed when writing this as some go way back in my memory but some found their way to me in other ways… Yeah, yeah, I still see her waving. 👋 ☺️

Be your OWN Storyteller…

All right, you caught me. I am using another bodybuilder pic for the second week, but I have to say this. When first deciding how I could finally get into that topic just a bit, the photo I thought of initially was that one below of Jim Hellwig, (a.k.a. Warrior) once again only this time on the cover of a magazine. Bodybuilding began his storytelling if you will, although chiropractic school garnered his interest as well. After that, it became pro wrestling. What a story he had and told but we all can do this, just in our own way. What makes a good storyteller? I sure hope you think I am with bringing you this content but today, I am highlighting another area here.

As years went by, Warrior began to use his voice more than his body and to me became that much more powerful. If you’ve seen any of his video work, you’ll know but that’s not what I’m referencing exactly. I love his stories but it’s *** HOW*** he came across to audiences that made a lasting impact. The people who were there heard him share the intensity, discipline, and lessons that made his life work. OK, sometimes there would be yelling or 🤬 but honestly- ( without being biased,) I could listen to him for hours. He just had such a compelling voice that I truly believed resonated with interested people. For those unfamiliar, just LISTEN for a bit. Even if I had never known him as a wrestler, I would be captivated by his storytelling.

I have written about my former book club leader Pam who is another one of these people. She had this way with words that would totally just make me melt. I had given several talks over the years and was always complimented, but I can’t hold a candle to these very gifted ones. Pam along with Warrior knew how to carry a room with just the power of their voices that generated such stories. My interest was held and still is. I wish Pam well in her retirement down in Tampa, Florida. I miss her. My spiritual mother that I truly needed… ❤️‍🩹

Another woman who had been mentioned mostly on my older blog about spirituality was Louise Hay. She founded “Hay House” and their smaller company of “Balboa Press” published my book- ” Spirit and Belief.” Oh look, another plug. I had to have a 3 count! 📗 Louise was a pioneer and truly helped so many people with her generosity, programs, and gifted healers. Even if you disagree or are skeptic, just listen to one of her many, many videos out there or read her books. You won’t walk away disappointed but lifted and energized. Her voice (like I believe I’ve said before) just makes me wanna curl up in her lap~~~ in a good way of course. She was another beautiful storyteller and had such a fascinating life. Feel free to look her up if wanting spiritual insight or just to hear a positive voice which may draw you in…

The last person I’m writing about today is brand new to the blog, but he came to me so we get two guys and two gals. This man I had met as a teen through church. No fretting, this is not meant to be religious at all so keep going with me. Deacon Stan would always blow me away with his preaching and I loved when he was a co-presider. Another wonderful storyteller with a transcending voice that made me pay attention better during a service. From age 5 to 95, he related to everyone. It didn’t matter the topic of discussion, I could’ve stayed in that pew for longer than an hour as I do believe he did give other talks to different groups. Fast forward many years later as we had changed churches. He gets assigned to the parish we originally belonged to! It’s complicated but we were back there and here he was. I was so excited to be part of his talks once more as an adult with kids of my own. Again, despite the religious part of all this, he still could hold a congregation with his soft demeanor, yet fair sounding voice. His stories mentioned family, personal experiences, and bringing a Creator into the conversation. He could’ve read or talked about anything and I’d be hooked. Remember that expression of : “he could read the phone book!” That doesn’t stand today but you get my point I’m sure.

Deacon Stan became ill and eventually passed away several years ago now. He was so young to me… 😞 I no longer attend any type of religious service but still did back then. I cried for days knowing we’d be without such a profound storyteller. 💔 I can only imagine him using his talent up above to captivate audiences still. His voice was just like Warrior, Pam, and Louise, who were able to bring their stories to life where others could not dismiss or ignore~~~ despite some possible resistance. Yes, 3 out of these 4 have passed on but will forever be remembered for the impact they made with their voice, actions, and storytelling. Do you know people like this? I hope you do and treasure what they bring forth.

*** My daughter is part of this post yet again because of her recent storytelling which made me well up. 🥹🥲 She decided to write letters to all her good friends as they graduated a few weeks ago. She did not tell any of them about her act, but wanted to say goodbye on her own terms for their high school years together. I hope her friends keep the letters she wrote of remembering all the stories they shared. I was overwhelmed by the desire to let her good friends know how much they meant to her. Writing is storytelling too, just in a different voice. ✍🏻

***On Father’s Day (like several years past,) it would’ve been Warrior’s 65th birthday. No big b-day post for him this year but that’s OK. We will be on vacation like 2 years ago for Father’s Day but not intentional. I’m taking next week off while we visit Michigan for a few days. We loved it there when my son graduated and now returning, only to a new area as my daughter just ended her high school years too. Her graduation was a beautiful night with many stories we will always treasure. I have said to tell your stories, however that looks whether you use your voice or the written word. You don’t have to be like Warrior, Pam, Louise, or Deacon Stan. Be the teller of YOUR stories so YOUR legacy will be felt by others willing to know it.

P.S. Catch up on past posts while I’m gone! HBD Warrior and happy Dad’s day to you always. 🩷🩷This ends the 6 months of year 10 with his birthday always culminating around now. 💙I miss him but his spirit is around everyday…

*** Get this~~~ I was at the store the other day copying photos to use for my daughter’s graduation party and the total came to $6.16. With tax the total came to $6.66. That can be a SCARY number to some but it’s me and my 6’s coming back once again… PLUS Warrior’s bday… 😉🫢 If I had added one more photo, I would not have had that total. I received a receipt totaling $6.16 a few years ago close to Warriors’s birthday as well. I always get a sign… How fitting now though that it was when I was making copies from my girl’s beautiful graduation 👩🏻‍🎓 night… 🥹 6️⃣6️⃣6️⃣

From Skinny to Strong 💪🏻💙

Welcome to June warriors! Summer☀️ will officially be here in my area later this month as it’s my favorite season. I told ya I’d be using some newer pics on here once again so as you can see down below, we have a young junior bodybuilder named Jim Hellwig, aka- Warrior. Yes, I can finally relate to *** THIS*** topic just a little as that part of Jim’s career was off-limits to me. If I can’t connect, it doesn’t get written as you readers know. Now, however, I have a story. I’m quoting from my book: “Spirit and Belief” for the second week because well, this story comes right after the tattoo one of last time. I had to look it all up since I couldn’t remember but how awesome to have a story about my daughter and my son in a row~~~ not planned. That story is called: ” My Skinny Strong Warrior” from chapter 24.

To rewind just a little, several years ago my husband bought our kids a beginners workout bench to use. I thought at the time it would get ignored and at first, it did not. After a bit though, it did as he eventually gave it away. 😟 The novelty wore off but I so enjoyed seeing them put it together. Here’s part of the story I wrote back then: ” My son seems so young and yet I was reminded of Warrior who was around this same age when he began lifting weights.” My son at that time was 12 and is now 20. 😳 I continue on with this: ” I hope he develops a consistent practice so his interest peaks more and more. This young man of ours might be finding his destiny just like another skinny kid did back in the day.” Well, he is finally more so doing just that- only 8 years later…

This final semester in college he had gotten a new roommate briefly. His one friend transferred back closer to home, so the new guy hailed from Maryland! Why he is studying in Ohio, I still am not sure 🤔 but we were told he is an amateur weightlifter. He had piqued my son’s interest and gave him some pointers. Some of those ideas I had given years ago but it’s always different coming from a peer and not a parent. When our guy got home for his summer break, he started using my husband’s workout bench as I just SIGHED knowing we had given away the other one. Nowadays, you can download a Fitness app to your phone or watch YouTube videos which is what he is doing. Times have changed, haven’t they?

Lately, he’s been slacking but began running 🏃🏻, playing more basketball while working up a good sweat 🏀, and then finishing with weights 🏋🏻‍♀️. He also improved his diet but by being home eating Mom’s meals and packing a lunch more, it helps. No more of McDonald’s 🍔🍟 while working all the time, heck no! He’s even lost a few pounds so it’s turning into muscle. Is he into bodybuilding? No, but is definitely taking a more active approach to fitness which started with his new friend. He may not see him that much come fall but hopefully, my son will continue down this more physically fit lifestyle. He was never a big kid but wanted more strength in his core.

We shall see what the future holds with his endeavors, but like I said in my book ~~~ I will stand by him and who knows, he might just have some help from that “warlord” up above. Years prior when in middle school, one of my son’s vocabulary words in social studies was warlord AND he even was a warrior in a game they played at school. All of his friends were peasants or merchants but HE was a warrior. He only shared that story with me and not his dad. How about that? 🥹 Warrior went from skinny to strong and now my kid is doing the same only of course not in the exact way. He was just inspired by another young bodybuilder type of a different generation.

Have you ever had something in your life that didn’t exactly work out the way you’d hope but then years later, it finally does? If you truly think about it, we probably all have at some point. Sometimes, it just isn’t meant to be or wrong timing maybe. Months or years go by and then it gets “locked up” to make it work. It could be a job that didn’t pan out, a move which doesn’t line up, or other issues in your life. You can let it go for a bit and just let it FLOW or keep pursuing it (like most of us do) where we push too hard, fight, and it doesn’t happen.

We need to abandon things at times because honestly, it shouldn’t be that hard and if it is~~~ it’s forced. The Universe helps or however you define it but we still need to do our part. Just don’t “over effort” like I’ve said before as I truly need to remember always. My husband pushed our workout bench on the kids and got them excited to keep track of reps, lifts, etc. but then it waned. We really tried to get them into other interests besides video games or YouTube. We need as parents to back off and let them choose their own way. We can give foundations or directions but then let it be as the seed gets planted. You can go from skinny to strong on your own terms but often, we need time to develop. It worked for Warrior to go fast but for most of us, we are not that rocket ship at full blast. 🚀 Enjoy June my readers and pick up a copy of my book if you feel so inclined for summer reading! You’ll find that story, last week’s and many more at a retailer of your choice… 📗Book plug, week 2…

P.S. Remember summer reading lists for school if you are old enough? Not to worry, no book report due! I always read mine— of course… 😉📚

Warrior Tattoo, part ♊️💪🏻💚

***I have not used the word Warrior in a title since January…

Here we go again with yet another part two, only this time years later. I’m using the Astro symbol for Gemini ⬆️ since we are in that season. That zodiac sign belong to Warrior but it also belongs to my daughter who gets mentioned frequently on here. Before all that, I do have to apologize for the photo below. I look like a contortionist of sorts! It was the only way I could fit my warrior tattoo in the pic with me taking it alone. The reason it gets another mention today is a 2 count. It is the 10th anniversary of when I got it along with my girl who turns 18. Yes, today is her 18th birthday which means 10 years ago~~~ she turned 8. So, besides April— we get another 10th in May. What a milestone it is for both… 🥳🍰

I will share some quotes from the story in my book: “Spirit and Belief.” It’s rare how it gets a plug anymore and that’s OK but you can find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, my publisher~~~ Balboa Press, and wherever you find books if you are a reader or interested. It’s my baby book of sorts. ( My phone typed “swords” 🗡️as I almost kept that in since Warrior was “The Swordsman” character in the movie “Firepower.” Too funny! 🤭 The book shows the beginnings of the warrior journey I am on. I have written and experienced SO MUCH since then but it’s a fun, interesting, emotional, short read of my adventures. Here are some snippets from “My Warrior Tattoo” chapter 23:

” I had two concerns about doing this and they were quite valid for me. First, I didn’t want it to be a sad reminder just because he passed and second, the aftermath of explaining its meaning to those who won’t understand.”

Yep, still true today– both statements. Here’s another: ” I must admit that the hardest part for me was not getting the tattoo but telling the artists who the Ultimate Warrior was.” *** One guy knew but others did not. I already had one and then a few years later I got a third. I’ll stick to a three count.

A fun one here about that zodiac sign (which was a post done years back all about Virgos – me- and Geminis : ” This girl is also a Gemini like Warrior was and her traits are extremely similar it often blows my mind.” *** Funny how back then I vaguely followed astrology but I looked up a few things. Now, I follow it a little more closely but it’s only part of my practices. Here’s a little lovey: “Maybe I was meant to get that tattoo on her birthday as a special reminder I will never forget. I did tell her what the tattoo means to me and who it was in honor of. She thinks it’s cool and points to it with no words. I know exactly what she means.”

*** That was powerful for me to write and some of you may remember a story quite sometime back when I recalled my 3 tattoos with her. It was titled: ” We Are Never Done.” She doesn’t totally remember that time of 10 years ago, but still respects her mom for having the courage to incorporate his legacy. My brother then had reminded me between my 3 tattoos, it is 6 years. Yep, that number was ever present back in those early days but it still makes an appearance from time to time.

Well, those are just some of the goodies of many emotional beautiful feelings from me. My girl made me laugh back then as I needed it the most when she accidentally saw it on my arm! How is she 18? She had the senior prom a few weeks ago and looked so stunning in her dress while having a fabulous time with her friends🥰👗. She just also marched in her final Memorial Day parade with the band just the other day🪈❤️🤍💙🇺🇸 and now graduation is tomorrow night 👩🏻‍🎓. I know I’ll be all “business” but hearing “Pomp and Circumstance” still gets me choked up. 🥹🥲Believe it or not, I just watched Warrior’s tribute to Randy on my saved videos last week. I actually was just scrolling and then remembered how he passed in May so how fitting to have found that. 3 years later, Warrior would join him… ***If you are or were a fan of them both, find that video. I’ve linked it before but it is a wonderful tribute to “The Macho Man.” I imagine it as his induction speech into the WWE HOF instead of the one he actually got. I digress yet again… 😑

How is it June this weekend? I knew May would fly by and we need a breather. You’ll be reading a few more posts from me and then I’ll be breaking for a brief trip back to Michigan. We went there after my son graduated but this time, a different area. Until then, look for a few other NEWER pics from me that I have not ever used. It’s another part of Warrior’s career I had yet explored and now, I can. You’ll have to keep reading to find out! I am ready for swims in the pool, 🏊 BBQ’s 😎☀️, sitting by the fire, 🔥 and all the summer feels. We have a busy couple of months with prepping a new college kid, but as always~~~I will breathe through it all. The to do list does become shorter and shorter every day.

I wish you all a happy June as we say goodbye to May… Hard to believe we as a family will no longer be associated with a school district. Just like I usually say- some stuff I’ll miss but others I won’t. New beginnings are tough as we all know but can also be exciting. My son will be moving into an apartment for his third year at college this fall. That will be quite an adjustment having them both gone for a bit but we need to evolve like life has to be. I will treasure all the moments and take them in the best I can. You need to do the same no matter what they are. Take breaks when needed and find a quiet time just for you. We all need it despite the crazy. After our vacation, I will be prepping more for her graduation party. It seems like I just did that~~ two years went by in the blink of an eye. I still see the word FLOW so that is how I have to be. 🙂‍↕️🌊

Happy 10th to my tattoo, even though that sounds silly. It isn’t to me because it gets shared with my girl’s birthday for the rest of my life here. I will also complete her photo wall collage with adding the last one. Very bittersweet🙂‍↔️ it will be, but I have my Warrior strength always~~~ especially when looking at my forearm. Two celebrations in one day and both I will never forget. Oh those Geminis, how can I possibly ever not feel their energy? Both part of me in different ways and forever pieces of my heart.💙💖

P.S. To all you fans of U.W. ~~~ Yes, I finally *** DID*** have several more emotional moments last month. The floodgates opened but not in the same way. It was more little things that have happened in these 10 years. We will never forget but need to keep being our OWN warrior. Channel that inner Gemini with all its expressions of embracing life! 

Are You Oscar Worthy? 🫵🏻💛

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know we already had Oscar season a few months ago but when an idea comes, I just go with it so here it is! Us regular folks will probably never win an Oscar or Academy award but like I have said about many of my “performances,” they are worthy indeed. OK, I mentioned getting an Emmy for acting but close enough. I’ll stick to TV and not the movies for a change! That pic of Ultimate Warrior below was quite the performance when he played mind games with Goldust. He donned the wig and took his bodyguard’s fedora. Earlier on, Warrior sat in Marlena’s Director chair and took a puff on her cigar while even burning Goldust’s hand. Quite the in-ring theatrics without a match. I loved it despite no actual “lock-up.” . Was it Oscar worthy? Your choice but it showed a funny side that we as fans didn’t always see.

Many of you who know my stories can recall some that well, could’ve been Oscar worthy but if not~~~ I hope they made you laugh, cry, or any other emotion you deem appropriate. I’m gonna share a new one today that got brought back to my memory of last summer. I don’t deserve an award obviously but it’s right up there with my expression of “WWKD” or otherwise noted as What Would Kathy Do? I actually had a friend tell me that once. It was something totally unrelated but I’m using it today, ha ha. If you are parent, did you ever have those times when you tell your kids to *** NOT*** do something and then you yourself do it? This was one of those times.

It can be something many of you do but not me which is why it fits into some of my Oscar worthy stories. Last summer, I wanted to listen to a good friend of Warrior’s ~ Peter Pallis tell some of HIS stories to an interviewer and it was on YouTube. Peter is the founder of the band ANAKA who I’ve referenced years ago and he and I have chatted a few times as well. He recently left a post on Warrior’s passing of 10 years so I remembered this last summer. He is a part of the U.W. Facebook group and both of us were also in another group on there several years back. That other group was a little “kooky” which Peter had said of a word Warrior used. Neither of us belong to those “kooks” anymore but we shared some laughs over that time. Anyways, he gave this lengthy interview but me~~~ I wanted to go swimming when it still felt warm enough outside. What to do? Sure, I could’ve listened to it later but typical me, I had and wanted to do it then so how could I do both? 🏊‍♀️

I propped my phone up on our pool platform in the shade so it wouldn’t get overheated~~ I’m always thinking. This would work as nobody was around and no splashing either. The volume only goes so loud ya know as I had to stay close by. If I wanted to swim more, I paused it. With me there alone, I could be super careful as lo and behold~~~ my phone came with me in the water while I walked around. One little slip, and that would be the end of my phone! That did not happen as I listened to the whole interview and went swimming. Never would I trust or want my kids to do this. If they want pics, I’ll take them on the platform but not while in the pool, it’s too dangerous. I do silly stuff though and it somehow works. 🤷🏻‍♀️😜

Here are a few other “performances” so you can choose a winner. Just little recaps as they all have been written. To start, I called into Dana’s podcast back in 2018 titled “Total Warriors!” and shouted down to my husband that I was live on the air! It was quite funny. I had the hosts laughing just by my silliness. 😂I’m sure Warrior was laughing too… Next, I stole or ~ ahem~ “rescued” some U.W. items from both preschools I had taught at. I’m still in awe to this day… Not that those events happened but more so about the connection of now . It is surreal…. How about when I drove to a nearby town to photograph the “Helwig Whistle Stop” sign by a busy road? I know it’s missing an L but that’s not the point here! I can’t do that today because there is now a fence… Another risky performance by me all for a photo. A physical one was walking the dog and then tripping sending keys flying. I actually fell 3 times and found myself saying: “my knee’s gone…” just like Hulk Hogan during WMVI. I hurt for days and couldn’t do some yoga poses.

The things we do, right? With me though, I wasn’t looking for an award like quite possibly “real” actors do. It’s just me being authentic and laughing at myself which we need reminders of always. What are some of your OWN Oscar worthy performances in your life? Yes, most of mine were laughable but many are not that exact emotion. When I found out more in this journey, it could be quite challenging holding it all together at times. The book I wrote helped, this blog helps, and every other practice I use to get centered helps. It’s a beautiful ride and one I will be forever on until I reach “parts unknown.” It’s the **REAL** moments that matter most and not always just info we receive from others. Trust those instincts, they are rarely wrong. 🥹🫶🏻

Maybe you don’t want and need that Oscar or Emmy but just knowing you were being yourself is all that counts. Laugh, cry, get mad sometimes, feel proud, and whatever else comes. Those feelings deserve validation, despite not possibly giving an anticipated acceptance speech. Own those life lessons because we need to learn them here now. I know without a doubt, Warrior has a front row seat to my performances because he has helped orchestrate MANY of them in his own way. Even the best actors never win an Oscar. Goldust may have looked like one, but isn’t the real deal. We are all performers just going through life the best we can. Make it all WORTHY… 👏🏻🤭🙂‍↕️

P.S. I recant just a little from last week as I got somewhat too caught up. The WWE DOES and will continue to thrive. I am grateful they have as much Ultimate Warrior merch that they do. 💙

*** I also had some big numbers as of late on my posts so thank you as always! 🥰😳👊🏻

P.P.S. Here’s another little extra add-on. My husband and daughter sometimes compete with the daily Wordle. Are you familiar with this? I think I’ve mentioned it before with the word ETHOS as you need to guess a random 5 letter word. I was on the couch, listening to them go through the letters and all I heard was NGO. You fans might know where I’m going with this. I kept thinking in my head all along it’s DINGO, I just know it. My daughter was saying lingo, bingo, etc. Finally, without me saying anything out loud~ my husband said DINGO! She did not know what that was and he said it is a wild Australian dog. I just laughed to myself thinking how I had no idea he knew what that was… ***

Too bad that story wasn’t a few weeks ago when I mentioned the Dingo Warrior! All the funnies🤣😉- all the time…

Don’t Forget Your Roots…

A couple of quick things first. Happy Mother’s Day🩷💐 this past Sunday to all those fortunate enough to call themselves by that title. Whether it’s human babes or animal ones, I hope all you ladies enjoyed your day. I sure did with all my “kids.” Interestingly enough, my youngest sister’s birthday fell on that day this year which it has in the past. No birth mother title for her, but she has other ones😉. Next month, Warrior’s birthday falls on Father’s Day which it has also in the past. Dates lining up once again but let’s get into today’s ***RANT*** which it is for me.

I don’t want these kinds of posts but sometimes, enough is enough already (yet again) and stuff has to be vented. No, the unshown as of late U.W. “Most Wanted Treasures” was not my reason with this but let’s just say~~~ it pushed me to my limits. We’ll start with the photo today. You will notice the ol’ WWF logo which has been used before but it gets “roped” in. Boy, am I so glad those years were part of me and not now with WWE content. I refute from dismissing their brand here, don’t worry. WMXL was HUGE and got everyone pumped for what is to come that is for sure. What I am saying is not to forget your roots like I state above.

However you look at that phrase works, and it doesn’t always have to reference your hometown or even family history. No discussion into others thoughts on Warrior refusing to honor where he was originally from instead of “parts unknown” as that has been written but how about the wrestling business in general? Many I believe have forgotten those long ago days of the past, which are so extremely important to remember. You can say ” out with the old and in with the new” but we shouldn’t obliterate and disregard what or who happened first. Without the old, we would never have the new. This can relate to people which I am identifying with, but it certainly can be other ideas too in regards to many events.

Sure, people or places of the past may not want to be remembered in the same way if we had negative experiences or someone broke our trust. The truth is~~~ just because you had a possible horrific time or a person hurt you, it still has to be acknowledged in some way. No, not with an ovation of last week but just recognizing it existed first and continuing moving forward. We have to feel and then heal. The other part of that equation is the good stuff that truly mattered and should still matter. The dirt that gets swept under the rug will resurface eventually but is still part of it all. We can’t forget the roots because that’s where our beginnings are. The positive influences will be remembered differently but also should not be forced out just because of new blood. We all have pasts and everything is part of us. The memories will still be viable without someone’s physical presence.

Are you still with me? I mentioned wrestling so yeah, those were just scenarios but here’s my biggest rant. The WWE did everything they possibly could to bring Warrior back and get him in their HOF years ago which was so incredible and amazing. Yes, 10 years have gone on since that memorable time but that passage should not diminish his character at all and yet it seems to have in my opinion. OK, they released Dana last year as her role really decreased and wasn’t truly needed anymore. They also decided to end the Warrior Award which I don’t have reasons on but perhaps it was too costly or they don’t want the idea of it around anymore. With Dana gone (like I had said weeks ago,) who would present? That part makes sense.

The other choices they made to me were just silly like the wine, really? 🤨🤦🏻‍♀️🍷He drank whiskey so why was U.W. chosen for it along with Taker? I never understood that either. The merch for Warrior items just looks too “cheesy” and not nearly as genuine as before. I know it is a gigantic corporation with mass production, but his logo just seems slapped or should I say~~~ “splashed” on items anymore. They do have much for U.W. which is GREAT but so glad I got an authentic T-shirt years ago from his shop online before it combined with WWE. I’m sure there are those of you who love your Ultimate Warrior gear. I love my few pieces and you surely can. I just feel off about it. They don’t care like they used to and times change, I get that as it does for us all. Maybe some merch aren’t big sellers so business dictates that aspect. Exactly why I am not in that kind of work. 🤷🏻‍♀️

To me though, I truly feel WWE in many ways have forgotten the roots of who they are. You can still honor legends, and they do but perhaps a more exciting way for fans of their generation to enjoy. Not them wrestling anymore~ um- no- but other ideas. That should be separate from the current roster because they deserve to be as it was a past era- the Golden One and before. I realize Warrior had said in his speech about wrestlers knowing when to officially hang up their boots and let the younger guys shine. Of course this is true but we don’t act like they were never part of the business, do we? I will continue honoring Warrior in the way that works for me and that is right here with all of you. WWE and possibly A & E are making a big mistake in not airing that episode. Are they unaware just how many ratings it would generate with his enormous fan base? Perhaps there are other reasons as to why we are uninformed. We may never fully know. I ***DID*** hear it is planning to air in July, we shall see. Why was it originally scrapped, though? True fans will continue to fight for Warrior’s memory despite WWE not as much anymore. I know my roots and in other ways, they run A LOT deeper than just wrestling. It got me to where I am this very day as it did for you too. We all have our own path. My good memories will never just be swept under a rug to be forgotten…

P.S. RANT over. Do you agree? Let me know. Onto a happier post next week! You fans will still honor Warrior in the way you choose to just like me. 💙☺️👏🏻💪🏻

“Allow Me to Introduce…”

Hello warriors! Hope everyone is enjoying this time of year as we continue on with month 5️⃣ . You will notice that pic of Ultimate Warrior below ⬇️ from his title reign after winning the WWF belt from Hulk Hogan. Yes, I am back with those types of photos for most of this month after using a few from his younger years. Well, what I have today is from April 14, 1990 when Howard Finkel, a.k.a. “the Fink” introduced the NEWWWW champ to fans. Had they done that when Hulk beat the Sheik? I don’t know. Maybe with the new year and decade, it was time for a different approach. As Vince had said~ Warrior was: “gracing us with his presence.” Hard to imagine how 24 years after that initial date, WWE would show a tribute celebrating the life of the Ultimate Warrior and even Warrior himself after he passed. Many of those dates lined up that way for him, it’s so surreal. I can’t say that about me unless I do some serious recollecting. I’m sure many other athletes might have similarities but with Warrior, there were A LOT…😬

Let’s move onto the topic of introductions, applause, and even standing ovations. When famous like Warrior was, that comes with the territory. Some love the praise while others just accept it as their new “norm.” I bet there were plenty of times that U.W. enjoyed that attention but then, possibly not always in the spotlighted way we as fans expected. Much is asked of you when aspiring to that level of celebrity and finding privacy despite being noticed is quite the task. When is it too much or even the opposite of not enough? I say the latter because those of us absent from the entertainment industry maybe, just maybe want those big intros to others or to the world in our own way. Celebrate your accomplishments remember? We can or should celebrate other things and want recognition for those times as well.

Here’s a little story similar, which happened to me many years ago. When my husband and I started dating, there would be those occasions when we’d be with other adults and only one knew the group. Think work parties like Christmas or other family gatherings. We officially became a couple and for the longest time- seriously- he’d always just say: “this is Kathy.” That’s it. It probably was enough for him, but the others and especially ME wanted more. Um~ yeah. Sometimes (rarely) I would respond: ” I’m his girlfriend.” Then the crowd accepted the rest of the missing statement. I would feel kind of hurt but understood how difficult that was at times considering his past with gf’s. I had never been anyone’s girlfriend, I was only ever a “date” so hearing it for the first time floored me. It felt so real and yet I needed to stay composed. My husband hates lots of attention but at times, I find it necessary. Titles are good as long as there isn’t a brag fest, just like introductions.

Have you been introduced in certain situations and how did you respond? We still need humility, but it is OK to feel good about that possible praise or even acknowledgment. Is it comfortable for you or awkward? There are moments when we actually don’t want or need those extra “woo-hoos” of attention. Case in point here is after my car accident of almost ( this month) 24 years ago. I had to miss the last two weeks of teaching and my oldest kids were set to graduate preschool. I got a ride from a coworker to see them get those diplomas and went despite desperately wanting to shield my still healing face. After my substitute led the class in a couple songs, I got up to speak. A few staff members rose and then with them, the entire group of parents in that room also did. Here came the ovations as I just stood there too emotional for words. 🙂‍↕️ Even though their actions were so affectionate for all I had been through, nobody wants applause for that type of particular experience.

Many of you readers may recall that huge audience reaction my senior year of choir when we sang a beautiful Christmas hymn. That was well-deserved warriors and definitely something one would want accolades for. What memories come to mind where you felt deserving of such an honor? As parents, we applaud our kids for little things when younger and then support them throughout the school years with awards of achievement at different levels. It is with pride that we look on for all their hard work and effort. No, I didn’t like my introduction of receiving that perfect attendance mentioned last week but nowadays, you bet.

Gorilla Monsoon even made a comment once after the Ultimate Warrior was introduced for an interview segment with Mean Gene. His response was: ” listen to that ovation!” Yes, another time of being well-deserved. Warrior also addressed fans of the WCW days with these words: …”there are those who anticipated my arrival!” He mentioned how no formal introduction was going to be necessary (as many did know he’d be showing up,) but you get my point here, don’t ya? There are plenty of moments in life where intros, applause, and ovations are needed and then times where they are not based on our feelings. Save it all for the right reasons warriors as I will for sure when my girl’s graduation nears only a few weeks away… 💗 From preschool in another time and place to High School of today… I will always applaud and stand proud for my kids at any age. Even those I taught way back when. 🙋🏻‍♀️👏🏻👍

P.S. 24 years from 1990-2014 (talked about today)

24 years from 2000-2024 ( my accident/ preschool grads story to my girl’s high school grad coming up…)

🥹🥲👩🏻‍🎓

P.P.S Well, this was going to be a reminder but guess it is no more until further notice- hopefully… The “Most Wanted Treasures” episode on A & E originally thought to be aired on the Ultimate Warrior this coming Sunday was scrapped. No idea why…. Sorry to all those looking forward to it like I was… 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤬🙄😩

Bad Influence? Nah…🖤🤍💪🏻

It is May. A super busy month for me with so much going on as this is just the beginning… 🥹😭😳 It’ll go fast but like I need to do~~~ breathe through it all and take one day at a time. More milestones as usual and even yet another pic near the very end of this month, but that is weeks away. Today brings “The Blade Runners” part of Warrior’s career into focus ( should I say “FOKE!”) as those pics have never been used. 2 more I believe will be added as NEW but you will have to wait until June to see those. I never posted from that time either so now, they are “running” your way. “Freedom Fighters” pics~~~ I’ve shown a few, but never from his Blade Runner days. There were some creepy poses I couldn’t even look at to use! 😱If I hadn’t known, never could you convince me that guy was Warrior, never.

Bad influence was written on their shirts when working down in Memphis so that got my wheels turning. Many guys (like you all that are fans know) start their careers as heels, villains, or bad- whatever you like to call it. Warrior and Sting were superheroes first as the Freedom Fighters but good guys don’t get notice much, do they? I can and totally disagree but business dictates otherwise sometimes. With a career such as pro wrestling, it’s a lot different being a bad influence than let’s say being that way at the office. You could get fired but in wrestling, people pay more attention to the villains it seems. In our real life, we sometimes feel the need to be “BAD” in order for others to acknowledge us. Yes, Roman Reigns, we acknowledged you.

Who or what are your bad influences and why? It can be exciting for sure but honestly, some of us (like me) just aren’t “wired” for that stuff. Would I have liked Warrior and Sting as the Blade Runners ? Probably not. OK, they were built but as readers know with me, creepy doesn’t work. I would’ve missed the Freedom Fighters with their American look. That’s just me though. When Warrior was younger, he had mentioned getting into trouble but not like the issues of today. He had his reasons for doing so and I believe there were many but when older, nah… I’m not talking about his issues with WWE and wrestling but other legalities. He said Vince and Co. didn’t even have a traffic ticket on him to throw back and say: “See, you ____ ___ .” You can fill in the blank with those two words from that infamous DVD which they were going for back in 2005.

I have posted how my “little” bad things would get noticed but not like others who would do way more destructive or illegal acts. We all choose based on experiences we find ourselves in and don’t want labels attached. When I was in high school, one year I received perfect attendance which is quite the honor and nowadays, my kids had also. Well, being typecast like I was, “perfect” (No, not “Mr. Perfect,” – ha-ha) would never happen again. We all have faked being sick to stay home as kids do but I had my main reason~~~ to not get that award again which embarrassed me. Today, I would be darn proud of being healthy all year but back then, those teen feelings of being seen different as a peer crept in. I wanted and needed to be bad but by MY standards which were still pretty tame.

I also snuck out of class early once to purposely get a detention the next day. I convinced a friend of mine to tag along and she did! Back then though, you’d just work off the detention with the teacher during lunch without staying after school. No big deal. At least yet again, I wasn’t always that “good” girl. I would be so mad at my kids for doing that but we all go through lessons and the pressure is real, at any age. Those are both probably very lame to all reading and being in the present now, I am proud to have done mostly the right things despite not being a bad influence. Don’t get me wrong though. There were plenty of times where I just wanted to do something shocking. I’m not saying a horrific crime here, just stuff unexpected for me but that’s just it, isn’t it? We do all that for others and then possibly feel bad (in a different way) afterwards. Was it worth it? You get to decide. I had stolen a few little items but then went to the store and paid for them. This was way back in my memory while recalling a candy bar 🍫or nail polish💅. Let’s not forget the precious U.W. items I acquired, but those stories have been told. 

We do need to get out of that comfort zone like I have many times. I surprised folks I know years ago with writing a book 📗 so it’s ideas like that we can focus on for the good influences, not bad. Warrior was never a bad influence to me, ever. Maybe as his character he felt that need for power which came across, but it was more about success for him. Sometimes other factors got in the way, but I wouldn’t look at him and think what others may have thought. He was a good guy like he said in his HOF speech but just did life his way. Did that make him a bad influence? Nah… Blade Runners could’ve been but I for one noticed Warrior despite that past. His influence on me was far too great to be bad. I always saw past those “flaws” others inflicted on him. So grateful to know why now. Let’s stick to the good. You’ll get noticed by the right ones. As Warrior had said: “it’s never wrong to do the right thing.” 👍☺️👏🏻

***P.S. NEXT Sunday-May 12th (Mother’s Day) will be WWE’s “Most Wanted Treasures” episode on the A&E network, 9 p.m. ET on the Ultimate Warrior. Make sure and check it out as I am! They will be searching for his WMV gear along with gear from his “Ultimate Maniacs” days with “Macho Man” Randy Savage. *** Let’s hope they don’t switch the date! *** 🤞🏻

World Class Convictions 👍

Here we are in these last few days of April already. I felt like it went pretty fast considering events but better to be busy than bored, right? I told you all about a spoiler pic last week and we will have a 3 count in early May. Besides that Undertaker promo pic I used a few posts back, these are some others that are totally new with my writings. You will see below a Dingo Warrior card from the old WCCW days. Isn’t it great? I told myself years ago how there were some aspects of Warrior’s career I would rarely mention or use photos from. Well, after almost 8 years, they have finally surfaced. My goal was only if I could share a personal reflection on them despite not following his career back then. It turns out~~~ I can.

I did a little P. S. on Dingo back in the Vet’s office several times ago with a woman’s dog~~~ unless it was Bingo but I SWEAR I heard a D! This is a little different today. I bet most of you that follow have seen my pics (at least I hope you have) and noticed how many in the past were in fact from Warrior’s brief WCW run in late 1998. That of course was years later past his WCCW Dingo days. Most may also know I have discussed numerous times of not watching WCW when they went to cable just like the WWF. I could watch both before that transition, but not after. This happened a few years ahead of Warrior’s time there soo I HAD used pics of him and his WCW days having NEVER seen any of that time on my TV. Why couldn’t I use other pics of him in earlier days? I truly laughed when I realized this and my stubborn ways. 🤣🤪 My justification was merely because I hadn’t seen Warrior in action as those other characters so how could I have a post?

The truth is, I can and do. I did some research and discovered how WCW was not even available in my area at all until 1999 so * AFTER* Warrior would’ve left the company. See, I couldn’t have watched him anyways. Isn’t that something? It made me laugh at least. All this time with my silly thinking that prohibited the use of some photos. 🫨 I must say though, I do stand by my own convictions that is for sure. Sometimes they prevent me from moving forward as that is the consequence of my choices, but I have to be me just like Warrior was. I believe I’ve done a pretty good job these past 7.5 years of making this blog what it is without over glamorizing Warrior, wrestling, or even my own personal stories. I hope you agree. Many thanks if you do, as I realize other writers out there would definitely have their own viewpoint in all this, but my journey is mine to take just like yours is for you.

Have any of you ever had those moments of conviction where your beliefs overpower the circumstance? Of course you have and I mention this plenty. It is OK to not beat ourselves up over it and really- like I did— just laugh at it all sometimes. If others disagree, let them. We have to be us and yes, that does require bending in other ways that could be unfamiliar (like a wrestling move…) but overtime~~~ we must. Warrior didn’t bend on many things but often with a career, it becomes necessary. He evolved his look with different characters through the years but many think he would not have been able to sustain the intensity of Ultimate Warrior. It was perfect for the 80s, but could he have held onto his convictions for a possible rebranding? It’s hard to say but I have repeated how if he didn’t feel “all in” with the gimmick, he’d leave and that he did at times. Can you just imagine seeing him after U.W. or even Warrior as another? We know what it was like before but I think that would be hard to top… If convictions aren’t accepted, we walk away and I have done this too, still am. We can respectfully disagree but some issues seem too forced or obligated and that isn’t how it should be.

You have to know if the battle is worth the fight~~~ win or lose. We also cannot ask another to change their ways when we know they fully will not. That rings true ( ding, ding, ding, 🛎️) for me in many aspects but I will share one. While driving last week, above me on the highway overpass was a truck with the word Helwig on the side. Yes, I know different spelling~~~ but did I think of Warrior ? You bet I did. Shortly before heading out, something upset me on social media. It’s such a trivial thing and yet my convictions get the better of me sometimes. I didn’t want to be bothered by it and yet I was. At least nowadays, the frustrations fade faster than before. So, after seeing that truck- I said: “Yes, Warrior, I know…” Meaning to not let it bother me so much when others I cannot control. He was able to forgive after being gone 18 years in the WWE but really, some others weren’t so easy returning that forgiveness. I’d like to think they were but for a few, I believe it was acting. Several weeks after the HOF, they went back to their old ways as we often do.

We can keep our world class convictions but they need to adapt with the changing times. If not, it will be quite the ultimate challenge. Are you up for it? Learn went to stick to your convictions and went to concede to others. We may even forgive but always know it is for you, not them. Be the better warrior and laugh at yourself. Even Dingo became Ultimate! 💪🏻

P.S. I made a YouTube video on the 🔟 years since Warrior’s passing. You can watch it here:

https://youtu.be/6LhywcPwGng?si=MXDHUSPzWK8aWtXW

*** If this link isn’t accessible, just check out my channel:

@kathypickett1527

***Oh, and I believe it airs at 9 p.m. ET, NOT 8 as mentioned in the video… The date may change as well so check your local listings… 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤞🏻