Sparks and Butterflies

An update. Poe is up for a cool job that I’m not mentioning until after he either gets it or doesn’t. First was a lengthy application. That was put in on March 6th. We were a little worried about that because we had to disclose information one doesn’t usually have to on a job application. March 15th, we finally found out he passed that and was put into the testing process (good!) which took them a month to schedule (bad) and another 2 weeks or so to actually get to. He finally took that test yesterday, May 15th, a full 2 months after getting to that part of the process.

He passed the actual test with flying colors, which then put him into the “disclosure” process. These are actual quotes:

“Did you ever take a magnifying glass and see if ants burned when you were 5 years old? That’s arson! Write it down!”

“Did you have a 17 year old girlfriend when you turned 18 and graduated high school? That’s statutory rape! Write it down!”

And on and on and on. He came home feeling elated for having passed the test, and the scum of the earth for having to hash through every single bad thing he has ever done or experienced (“Did you ever witness spousal abuse? Write it down!”)

Now comes the interview and polygraph. Yes, I said polygraph. A lie detector test. That comes on June 30th. A full month and a half away, during which point they will be digging up every bit of dirt they can on him. And interviewing everyone they can get their hands on. It’s… unnerving. It really is. On the other hand, he’s been a practical boy scout for the last 15 years, and all his stupidity was basically done while he was very young.

And now, we wait. And maybe sweat a little.

Dear “A. Friend,”

I think I know who you are.  But I won’t call you out – both because I’m not sure, and I don’t want to embarrass you by ruining your intended anonymity.

Thank you.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I’ve always wanted one of those foot scraper thingies.  I love to read.  The kids will dig the straws and Silly Bandz.  And frankly?  We have three days til payday with no money for food because one of my clients didn’t pay me on time.  So that money you sent?  Literally puts food in my kids’ mouths.

It was completely unexpected, made me cry (the good kind), and say a prayer of thanks.

And the chocolate won’t go to waste, let me assure you.

My friend, today you helped me immeasurably.  I’m grateful.  I thank you.

Love,

Michele

Below is a guest post of my husband, Poe.  He’s a little ticked and asked if he could write on my blog.

Hello there, this is Poe… Sparks’ husband.  I heard a discussion on the radio this morning that prompted me to request this “Guest Post” on my loving, beautiful, talented wife’s most professional and stylish blog. Full disclosure, this post is going to have to do with sports…kinda.

I don’t know if you have noticed or not, but the use of the words “Super Bowl” has been absent from almost all forms of advertisement not directly generated from the NFL.  While I understand this from a purely monitary point of view (not really,) I have always thought it to be petty and selfish in the extreme.  The use of the title “Super Bowl” in an ad for pizza, or a new TV does nothing to detract people from actually watching the “Super Bowl.”  If anything, it’s free advertising… but I digress.

This morning I was informed that a number of businesses in New Orleans received letters from the NFL informing them that their use of “Who Dat” in the advertisement was a violation of trademark laws as “Who Dat” was an official NFL trademark.  ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!  That has got to be the most out of touch, conceited, petty, and just plain dumb policy I have heard in a very long time.  That is like some official for the Olympics saying people need to use “The Game Overseas” or “A Group of Countries Playing Games Against Each Other.”  Just stupid.  As if New Orleans does not have enough to deal with, now this.  This is the first trip to the “Super Bowl” for the New Orleans Saints and the “Who Dat Nation” – and the NFL pulls something like this. Seriously, is “The Dog Pound,” “Raider Nation,” or “Cheese Heads” trademarked by the NFL too?  It’s like me trying to trademark “Dude”. (Ed. note – my husband has trouble in conversation NOT using “Dude.”)

I am sorely disappointed in the NFL, so much in fact that I will not be watching the “Super Bowl.”  (Ed. note – my husband is an AVID, RABID football fan, so this is big.) I just wanted to vent and this is, I think, one of my best options.  Thank you baby!

Poe

Dear Prancer and Vixen,

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the gift cards you sent in the mail.  I don’t know who owns the opposable thumbs that helped you send them in the mail, and I can only hope they see this.

With Love, Admiration, Humility, and Thankfulness,

The Wilcox Family

Life is kicking me in the behind right now.

I have a new client, and that’s a great thing, because it means I’m bringing in a small amount of money. And also? Time consuming. That’s been taking up a portion of my brain activity.

We’re still working on the house and various reconstruction. That chaos is taking up a portion of my brain activity. And time.

Logan is going into reader intervention. Brain activity consumed.

Joseph is struggling more than ever and I’m considering homeschooling. SEVERE BRAIN ACTIVITY CONSUMED.

I’m just… Overwhelmed. Consumed. Fed up. Trying to keep my head above water before I drown.

And to top it all off, I can’t attend Blissdom. The money simply isn’t there, and I just don’t see it coming in. This really disappoints me. I write for Blissfully Domestic! I’m part of the One2One Network! I also enjoy it a lot more than BlogHer because it’s a bit more intimate. The only way to make it would be if they wanted me to speak or a sponsorship came through. But I’m too busy hustling my business and surviving our lives right now – I don’t even know how to go about finding a sponsorship. And unless it was a panel on virtual assistance or special needs or just blogging longevity, then I’m out. I’m not a marketing expert. I’m not, well, anything really except here. Present!

I configure beautiful blog posts in my head. And then promptly forget them 3 minutes later.

I’ve GOT to start writing that stuff down, so I can stop writing entries like these.

Out there on the balcony, that guy was not looking at me. He was looking out. I didn’t think he knew I was there. I heard him say, “Mountains or Water?”

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“Mountains or water… Or forest. To live. Where do you want to live?” he asked.

“Why can’t I have all of the above?” asked I.

“No fair,” he said.

Class continued on. We continued to be comfortable around each other but nothing personal. Christmas passed. I don’t remember that Christmas at all. I don’t know why. Maybe I was alone? I don’t think I went home to my parents. New Years passed. Again – don’t remember it at all. It was now 1998. At the end of the month was Super Bowl Sunday.

I went to church, as I usually did on Sunday mornings. He was there. Just a couple of rows ahead of me with his brother (I assumed. I was right.) Again – I hightailed it out of there at the end of services because I didn’t have the courage to talk to him outside of class. He did, but he couldn’t catch me.

That night I went to evening services. Not because I wanted to learn about God, sadly. It was because I was hoping he’d be there. I didn’t hold out much hope, the Super Bowl was on and he was male. Sorry for the stereotype – but still, come on. I was wrong. He was there. He got there before me in fact.

I mustered up all the courage I had. I walked up to him, incredibly nervous, and while eyeing the nearly empty sanctuary, I asked him I could sit next to him.

“Not a problem.”

Move on to Part VI
Go back to the Beginning

I’m taking a short break from the internet (blog, twitter, email) etc. I’m sick as a dog with a nasty cold. See you all next week sometime.

On a bit of a trip.  I’ll be writing about it over here.

Short post today as I left it a little late this morning to write, and I don’t know that I’ll have a chance later.

First…  LONGEST WEEK EVER.  I knew that this would just be a long week or the shortest week known to man.  It is the former.

Then to top it all off…  Period shows up.  You know, ’cause I don’t have enough going on this week.  So I feel like total crap.  If it wouldn’t be bad form – considering Friday is my last day – I would call in sick, I feel that bad.

Hopefully I’ll feel better tomorrow, as tomorrow is my goodbye lunch.

And WOTLK comes out tomorrow – meaning midnight tonight.  My dad’s going to sit with the kids while they sleep, while Poe and I stand in line for two hours waiting to get our copies on reserve.  We are freaks.  Only to come home and get up for work three’ish hours later.  We are idiots.  This is will not help me feel better tomorrow.

Three more days including today.  I’ll live.  Right?  Right?

So…  I told you that I was going to be writing for Blissfully Domestic in the Healthy Bliss channel.  I promise not to make every article it’s own blog entry – but since it’s my first, I’m sending you there today.  Be kind.  I took a hiatus from non-personal writing for a bit, I might still be rusty.  Anyway…  I defined the IEP for you:

Defining Terminology: IEP