Process: Repeat

The title says it all. This marks the third day of waking up and getting ready to find out that the clearance has yet to be approved. Oh, Interim Clearance, mind you. What.... in the world... have I done to keep my "under evaluation" status. Hmmm.

So Plan B continues... Soliciting sponsorships for Semper Fi. But I am definitely more motivated today because apparently I hit the Slidell Jackpot yesterday! When I got out of the car at the first place I stopped, I prayed, "Lord, please make this trip worth it. Help me to be successful." And wow, did He answer!

After having my rim replaced at the Honda dealership in Slidell, I walked into the main office and gave my spill about helping Skylla with Semper Fi. And I got the typical, "Let me send this to my manager for approval." "Thanks! Have a good day." Since the entire road was one dealership after another dealership, I just kept cruising north of E Howze Beach Road. My next stop was at the Ford/Nissan dealership....

A very nice black guy listened to my spill and directed me to the accounting office. That was the first time that anyone had taken the time and thought to do so! I walked in, and two ladies were talking, stopped what they were doing, and were super attentive to me. She, Daniele, made the statement, "Semper Fi!" after pouring her eyes over the handout. She told me that she would make sure that Ford agreed to help but was super insistent on me meeting another lady... A lady that organizes charity events in her free time because it's her hobby!! [Enter: Karen]

This butch-looking lady walks in, listens to Daniele's explanation of who I am and what I want, and she looks at me with big eyes. "So tell me about Semper Fi." I gave her the low-down. "Yeah, I know all about it! My father was a Marine. I am a military junky. So what have you guys got planned?" I didn't know the details of everything because I was simply on a mission to get sponsors, not organize. But she made a point to go dig out a chair, make me sit down, and told me that she's got a huge list of numbers and names that I must contact. I sat there for an hour!! Both Karen and Daniele gave me names and ideas and who to go to for this and that. Karen even went as far to tell me, "If those people I gave you don't help, you call me! I'll make them. They know me. Opening ceremonies? I can get the ROTC to come out and do a 21-gun salute. What else do you need? Tshirts? I will design them for you. Hey, I got a helicopter to land in some parking lot in Slidell for an event and did not get one warrant! Now that's what I'm talking about! You will call me tonight, right? I will be looking for your call. You talk to your head-lady and see what needs to be done. I'm all pumped up about this now. You better call. I'm looking for your call."

Jackpot, baby! Jackpot. I feel like I'm back to my SeCAPS planning days. I just got off the phone with Susan, Skylla's Semper Fi coordinator, and we discussed all of the details. Since I won't be going into work today, this is my project and my new focus. Back to Slidell I will go... "Happy trails to me, until I get home again..."