A little over four months ago, I published my first blog post and this one is my 100th. Who would’ve figured? When I started I knew nothing about blogging, websites or HTML! This could very well be one of the hardest things I’ve ever learned to do.

Ms Sparky’s Mishaps & Misadventures started out with a different domain name. It used to be YourEmergencyPlan.com and was geared towards 72-hour kits and emergency preparedness.  About a month into it, I decided not to focus on any one topic and just see where my blog would take me. I changed the domain name to MsSparky.com in June. I still have a 72-Hour Kits page and an Identity Theft Page (under tabs at top), two topics near and dear to my heart.

My blog has always been a personal blog so you never know what you might read here. It could be about KBR. It could be something funny…or not so funny about my daughter or grandsons.  The point I’m trying to make is, it’s about me and my life and things that are important to me.

I was very content blogging about my grandson, daughter, bad traffic and the crappy latte I got at Starbucks. Then on June 2nd I saw a CNN report that changed everything. It featured Cheryl Harris talking about her son Staff Sergeant Ryan Maseth who died of electrocution while showering in his room in Baghdad. I was very angry and sad and my blog post reflected that. Here’s the post that started it all. The next thing I know I’m testifying in Washington DC.

My page started out as a hobby and has turned into a full time job. I’ve tried to stay away from advertising, but..if I am going to continue doing this full time I am going to have to consider it.

This is how my blog has changed my life in only four months.

• My husband is a lot happier because I vent on my blog and not to him!!
• I’ve met some of the most amazing people that share the same passions about changing things as I do…..so they must be right!
• I’ve met some very brave people who have come forward to tell their stories about their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• I’ve been able to play a small part in KBR’s policy change with regard to qualifying and paying licensed electricians, plumbers, HVAC and ?? We all know they wouldn’t have changed if they didn’t have to.
• I’ve testified before the Senate Democratic Policy Committee in Washington DC about the Soldier Electrocutions.
• I did my first Radio Show in a recording studio for NPR’s The Story.
• I’ve lost track of the number of interviews and news articles that have been publish. I will be posting an article from the The NW Labor Press that came out yesterday And something should be coming out in the IBEW Journal/Electrical Worker soon. I only do interviews to keep the story alive and to get the laws changed!

Here are a few things I’ve learned.

• My web designer Tracy at Retrodiva Designs is not on call 24-7 just because I got into the HTML and screwed up my whole site!!! But she will respond promptly during normal business hours. I commend Tracy for her patience and well…..her patience. I am not the easiest person to work for….so I’ve been told!
• I’m probably the most impatient person in the world. I don’t understand waiting…because I know that “now’s good!”
• What’s important to me should be important to you too. And I can spend endless hours trying to convince you! (personality flaw)
• You cannot sit in front of a computer for hours and hours before your back says “ENOUGH ALREADY!”. Your back does not care about the problems of the world.
• The Google Adsense people are not forgiving at all.
• Just because the world is on the internet 24-7 doesn’t mean I need to be.

It takes a very good friend to be brave enough to call me up and tell me that I’ve screwed up my page, or I should do this or I shouldn’t do that. And for Pete sake Debbie use SPELL CHECK!!!!! Thanks to my good friend Karin for being able to find all my little (and big) screw ups! I call her my Editor in Cheif.

When I got back from Iraq I was exhausted and had no fight left. It would appear I am rested up…”so, let the games begin!” This post pretty much sums it up The Woman I Strive To Be.

This blog is nothing without it’s readers. Thank you for reading, for commenting, for emailing, for forwarding to your friends and family, for talking about the issues.You ROCK!!!

I am proof that one voice can be heard. But hundreds are louder and thousands are even louder yet.

Ms Sparky

PS-All you bloggers out there.  I need Technorati Authority. Let’s trade links.

Other Related Posts:

• Does anyone know what day this is?
• Second company sued in SSG Ryan Maseth electrocution death
• Widow pleads for information about electrocution death of husband
• Electrical device to safeguard soldiers from electrocution?
• “I could actually hear him laugh”