I have to go to the dentist !

Well, actually I don't have to go, but I choose to go. I took Christine to the dentist earlier today, and I started thinking about how fortunate Ashley and Christine are to have dental insurance. I was telling Christine after her appointment that when we say we have to go to the dentist, what we are really saying is that we would rather not go, but if we HAVE to we will. I told her that there are so many people, children and adults that are not able to go to the dentist for financial reasons. If they could afford to go, the adults would probably say, "I choose to go to the dentist." Most kids are not as excited about going to the dentist. Christine has asked me several times if she had to go. I guess I was thinking about it because I don't have dental insurance, and I need to go. I need to be thankful that for now I'm able to go. I have been putting it off for a long time for financial reasons. I don't think very many people enjoy going to the dentist, (I don't mind it) but right now I would love to go, and I'm choosing to go. Sometimes it's a difficult decision for me to make when the money could go towards something more important. When I left my job in accounting I realized how fortunate I had been all those years having coverage. I took dental/health coverage for granted. The next job I had didn't pay well, but it had good benefits, and that's why I stayed. I remember being inbetween jobs when Ashley was about six years old. I worried about her every single day because she/we didn't have any health insurance. I learned very quickly that it really is a HUGE benefit............. Duh! Everyone have a super day :)

Ten dollars, a copy store, and one really nice lady :)

One of my posts from last May is about the crisis in Africa. I was cleaning out a drawer the other day and came across some of the information I sent out. I was keeping track of the cost of my little project. The day I went to make the copies there was a women using the copy machine next to me. She noticed that I was making copies of some pictures that were difficult to look at, and she asked me what it was about. I told her briefly what I was doing and she reached into her purse and handed me a ten dollar bill. She told me that she wanted to help with the cost because she thought I was doing a great thing, and she wanted to be a part of it. I told her that she didn't need to give me any money, but she insisted I take it. I thought it was so great that she really cared about what I was doing. My mom and Ashley thought I was nuts. I received a few replies to my letter. The only reply I received from another country was from Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. I don't know how many people actually received and read my letter. I knew I would be happy if only one person took the time to read it. It was worth every penny, and every second of my time. It was really nice to know that at least one person didn't think I was nuts. Meeting that really nice lady at the copy store made my week. Every one have a good day :) P.S. I had to keep this envelope. It's the only envelope I will ever get that has Royal Mail stamped on it. I want to stamp my mail with it. I'm kidding.

For all of my blog viewers from Bellingham to Seattle.

Green grass, blue sky, and pictures in the clouds :)

An eel head and a goose with wings, but no body. When we have clouds that are fluffy and white, Christine and I lay out in the grass and search the clouds for pictures. It makes me sleepy. Everyone have a good day :)

Sweeter than all the diamonds in the world !

You’re wondering why I cherish some dried up wild flowers that are twenty three years old. When I was fifteen, my fourteen year old boyfriend picked these wild flowers for me. I think he picked them from the field behind my house. What makes them so special? I was so madly in love with him. I have never been madly in love with any other man in my life. I was over helping my mom when she was moving, and I found the pressed and dried flowers in two plastic baggies that my mom had taped together. Yes, I had tears in my eyes. Most of you know about my sensitive side, so it's no surprise that I got emotional. On the baggie she wrote who they were from and the date. I'm so glad she saved them for me. The first flowers a boy had ever given me. When I look at them, I can see what the flowers looked like the day he gave them to me. I have never received a gift from any other boyfriend that even comes close to my sweet hand picked wild flowers. Everyone have a good day tomorrow :)

2 Comments

Amy Fields said...

Josie! you should see if he is single! Perhaps you were meant to find the wildflowers after all these years?! Talk to you soon. Amy

11:47 PM

Josie said...

Nope, he's happily married. Some people are blessed by being able to reunite with their first love, but for me, it's only been a dream :) He knows how much I loved him. I told him that he would always hold a very special place in my heart, and he will.

11:30 AM

A structure of Awe? I'm embarrassed for the residents of Soap Lake. What a waste of money, at least I think so.

They have t-shirts and other souvenirs, but the lava lamp isn't there, so why would anyone buy the stuff? Would any of you go see it, if it was there? Of course I would have to because my mom would want me to see it. I hope that never happens :) This is from an article on the internet. "People will come from all over the world to see this structure of AWE," says Blake. "Think of the interest this structure will have on people. It is an active, mesmerizing, vividly colorful and always changing kinetic structure. What other theme structures in the world possess such features? Visitors will be thrilled to see such a wonder and will be rewarded by its scale, show of light and constantly changing, oozing and flowing goo!" Update - July 2005: The giant lava lamp sits in storage in Soap Lake. The town needs $100k to assemble and erect it. [01/03/2005]

Christine and her friend Zadra wanted to sleep outside on the trampoline. Of course I would have slept out there with them.

It's not Summer yet so I talked them into sleeping in Christine's box in the house. We would have froze outside. It gets down to around 34 degrees at night. Phew, I got out of that one. Everyone have a good day :)

Hoop wars. The object of the game is to hit your opponents hoop with your hoop until they drop it.

Christine is much shorter and her hoop is a bit whimpy, but she wins most of the time. Hooping is fun. Have a good Wednesday :)

Christine told me I should put a picture of the three week old bunnies on the blog.

Christine's bangs? I want to cut them, but she says she's growing them out. Everyone have a good day :)

Easter at our house. Ashley doesn't think she's too old to be getting a basket from the Easter bunny.

Christine was up bright and early to hunt for eggs and her basket. Ashley, on the other hand, would not wake up after many attempts. Christine had to wait until 11:00 when Ashley woke up. That's torture for a ten year old to wait that long, but she waited patiently. When Christine finally got to go outside she was in such a hurry that she put on two different shoes. She just grabbed them and ran. With all the excitement over the Easter bunny it's easy for people to forget what Easter is all about. Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. He offers to you the gift of eternal life and forgiveness of sins. This is the true story of Easter, and this salvation is for you. I am so thankful for Easter. Eternal life with God will be awesome! I hope everyone has a great week ahead.

Awards Assembly

At the end of each trimester the students get awards from their teachers. Christine got a healthy fitness award, fitness honor award, academic achievement (for all A's) award and a Sunnyland achiever award. On her Sunnyland achiever award it says, this certificate is awarded to Christine McIntee for......Mr. Bill wrote, "for being quietly magnificent! She is such a hard worker, as well as always a polite and kind person to everyone." The third picture is of what Mr. Bill had to say on her report card. Christine did not like school up until this year. It was a battle every single morning just getting her in the classroom. That is four years of taking her to school when she absolutely did not want to be there. I was definitely not firm enough with her. Throwing fits when your in second grade? She got excellent grades, but she did not like school. Finally, this year with Mr. Bill for her teacher she goes to school without the morning struggle. Yes, it was my fault for letting her get away with it for so long. I'm just so thankful that it's going well this year. When it comes to being firm with my girls my report card would have a big fat D on it. I'm trying to get it up to a C. You guys have a great weekend, and Happy Easter!

A lot of people are asking why the gas prices are so high. It just doesn't make any sense to me. Us poor folk just can't afford $3.19 per gallon.

I promise I'm not going to complain anymore. First it's about the crazy house prices, and now it's about the gas prices. Gas here has been higher than anywhere else in Washington for some time. Most families have a minimum of two cars, and I know for us it's close to $100.00 to fill both cars. I really do like living here, but I have to be able to afford to live here. I know that there are other people that can't afford the gas prices, and that can't afford to buy a house. In a lot of families the wife and husband work full time, and they still can't afford to buy a house here. Wash. -- New numbers from AAA of Washington said Bellingham continues to have the highest average gas prices in the state. It was $3.19 for a gallon a gas Friday, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News. The Bellingham price is 19 cents more a gallon than what is being charged for gas in Bremerton -- $3. The Seattle-area’s prices are right in the middle at $3.11 a gallon. “We can drive down to Seattle and on an average it's probably 10 cents a gallon cheaper,” said Bellingham resident Nick Leary. The county executive wants the state to investigate why residents are paying so much for gas when there are two big refineries in the county. Because there are two refineries, a lot of people are wondering why our gas prices are so high. Anyone ever been to Ohio? Some towns in Ohio are on the lowest price housing list, and I'm guessing they pay less for gas. Gosh you guys, I'm sorry for complaining so much, but the fact is that it's just not affordable for many people that live here. No more negative posts. Everyone have a good day :)

Friday night fun in the fifties :) The locomotion, the twist, the stroll, and many others.

A Friday night sock hop. Christine decided at the last minute that she wanted to go after I'd been asking her for a week if she wanted to go. There was no time to make a poodle skirt so we went with what we had. One of the moms made the poodle skirts that the other girls are wearing. I think they are just adorable. The band was The Atlantics. It's Christine's music teacher and his band that played. Mr. Bill (Bill Steele) is Christine's teacher. He made a pretty good Elvis. :) He had the moves down, but the singing? He was having fun, and the kids loved it. Every elementary student should have a Mr. Bill for their teacher. He is without a doubt the best teacher that I have ever known. The kids think he is so funny, and he makes learning really fun for them. I love helping out in the classroom and being around the kids. It's great when the kids come up to me all smiles. They call me Christine's mom, not Josie. Christine has some great friends, and I know she will never hang out with the wrong crowd. She's a smart girl, and we talk a lot about what qualities a friend should have. I'm no longer talking about the sock hop am I. I need sleep. You guys have a good day tomorrow :)

Report cards. Christine gets so excited when she brings her report card home.

Second trimester just ended for elementary students. This is part of her self evaluation for the second trimester. Everyone have a good day.

No more letters :( After contacting CCF about Melhni Jean it looks like I will never be able to write to her again.

All the letters we sent each other were sent to and from the projects address. She doesn't have our address and I will never know hers. It just doesn't seem right, does it? Just knowing that I will never know how she's doing, and that I'll never be able to send her things that are so special to her makes me so sad:( She loves stickers. When I sent her money for her birthday or Christmas she would always buy something for her mother and her sisters. One year she bought some chocolate for her family and a new school uniform. I'm going to miss all of her beautiful drawings and all the letters. She will always be in my heart. Ok, I'm off to get some tissue. I'm just so sensitive. Sometimes it's a good thing and other times it's not. Everyone have a good day.

Melhni Jean moves:( Little Judy is our new sponsored child.

I'm happy for her family, but we have been corresponding with her for seven plus years now. Sooooooooo many letters that mean so much to me! Yes, I actually had tears when I read this letter. I'm happy to sponser Judy now, but I would still love to keep in touch with Melhni Jean. The letter below says that they are just starting their family. It makes me sad for the children when their parents can't provide for them, and then they go on to have more children. Judy's story sounds a lot like Melhni Jean's.

The trophy

Something that has been so important to me is to teach my girls to think about others before they think about themselves. It could be giving a friend your last piece of gum when you really wanted it or giving ten dollars to a charity instead of buying a barbie. When my mom was up in February she was telling me that I was doing a great job raising my girls to have giving hearts. She said she had a story to tell me about a dance competition I was in when I was five years old. She said that we were backstage after the competition and that I had won the competition and received the trophy. My mom was telling me how proud she was of me. She said that I kept looking over at the girl that had won second place. The girl was crying and very upset that she hadn't won the trophy. After I looked over at her a few times I told my mom that I would be right back. I went over to the girl and handed her my trophy. Her mother said thank you, and my mom said that she could not believe what I had just done. When I came back to my mom she asked me why I had given her my trophy. She said that I looked up at her and said these words, " because she wanted it more than me." My mom said she was pretty upset with me because she was so happy that I had done so well. She said that her anger didn't last long though because she was also so proud of me for what I had done. I don't remember any of this, but I hope the lady still has her trophy, and I hope it means just as much to her now as it did thirty three years ago. I think my mom did a pretty good job in raising me to be a giving person, and I thank her so much for that :) Everyone had a good Monday :)

Failure to obey a red light.

I received a ticket in the mail the other day for the accident I was in. The officers decided that I was indeed the one at fault. So I paid the fine and now I'm waiting to hear about my car. The most important thing is that no one was hurt. It really is a good thing to be aware of your surroundings when you're driving. Like the scarecrow said in the Wizard of Oz, "if I only had a brain." Everyone have a good day.

Goofy song, but I like it. When it's on the radio I sing along. The video is low quality, but the song is all I needed. The Barenaked Ladies, If I had a million dollars I'd buy your loooooooooooooooooooove If I had a $1000000 (If I had a $1000000) I'd buy you a house (I would buy you a house) If I had a $1000000 (If I had a $1000000) I'd buy you furniture for your house (Maybe a nice chesterfield or an ottoman) And if I had a $1000000 (If I had a $1000000) I'd buy you a K-Car (A nice Reliant automobile) If I had $1000000 I'd buy your love. If I had a $1000000 I'd build a tree fort in our yard If I had $1000000 You could help, it wouldn't be that hard If I had $1000000 Maybe we could put like a little tiny fridge in there somewhere You know, we could just go up there and hang out Like open the fridge and stuff There would be already laid out foods for us Like little pre-wrapped sausages and things If I had $1000000 (If I had $1000000) I'd buy you a fur coat (But not a real fur coat that's cruel) And if I had $1000000 (If I had a $1000000) I'd buy you an exotic pet (Like a llama or an emu) And if I had $1000000 (If I had a $1000000) I'd buy you John Merrick's remains (All them crazy elephant bones) And If I had $1000000 I'd buy your love. If I had a $1000000 We wouldn't have to walk to the store If I had a $1000000 We'd take a limousine 'cause it costs more. If I had a $1000000 We wouldn't have to eat Kraft Dinner But we would eat Kraft Dinner Of course we would, we’d just eat more And buy really expensive ketchups with it That’s right, all the fanciest dijon ketchups Mmmmmm If I had $1000000 (If I had $1000000) I'd buy you a green dress (But not a real green dress, that's cruel) And if I had $1000000 (If I had $1000000) I'd buy you some art (A Picasso or a Garfunkel) If I had $1000000 (If I had $1000000) I'd buy you a monkey (Haven't you always wanted a monkey?) If I had $1000000 I’d buy your love If I had $1000000, If I had $1000000 If I had $1000000, If I had $1000000 I'd be rich

Kim and Melanie. I miss you guys. It's been much too long since we've seen each other.

I remember going to the dance that night. The three of us without a date. We didn't care about going stag, we just wanted to dance. I have so many great memories from soooooooooo long ago. WHERE DID THE TIME GO? (22 YEARS TO BE EXACT) WE HAD SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER! Click on picture for a larger view.

4 Comments:

• At 9:21 PM, Melanie said…

  Josie! I didn't know that you were going to post this on your blog. Ha, ha. How embarassing!

• At 9:22 PM, Melanie said…

  By the way, I think we all look great!

• At 6:01 PM, Nicole said…

  Sport that perm!

• At 10:36 AM, Kim said…

  Who are those hot chicks anyway? Can I get a phone number? Tee hee hee!!! Didn't know you were going to post us on the world wide web! Geez!!!

I have a dream. Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.

At school Christine's class was told to write about some of the dreams that they had for our world. One of those dreams had to be something that would definitely never come true for her. A treat everyday, like ice cream or cake. She asks me everyday, and I guess it doesn't hurt to ask, but she knows she will never get treats everyday :) I think we all have a dream that the other five will come true. Everyone have a good day :) Just for some history, Martin Luther King Jr. received a "C" in his public speaking class. Although with his passion and overcoming adversity he delivered one of the most famous speeches of all time. Click here to watch his speech. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA

THE PARTY..... CHRISTINE'S BIRTHDAY SLEEPOVER :)

The people.... six girls and two boys. The place.... our house. The parent.....me. The prizes.....all kinds of good stuff. Everyone was fighting over the two lollipops. The pinata......A cute mouse that Ashley made years ago. The presents.....A barbie, books, photo album and other girl stuff. The problem....too many pre-teen girls with attitude. The next day at 2:30 when everyone went home......The PEACE :) It was some party. I have never had a sleepover like this, ever. All the birthdays Ashley had and all the friends that stayed over were great. All the kids were very respectful, kind and no trouble at all. Some of the kids that came to Christine's party were very rude, unkind, and VERY disrespectful. One girl in particular had three girls in tears. She is a good friend of Christine's and comes over a lot. She was very mad about Christine inviting two girls that she did not like at all. Of course the girls she didn't like were the best behaved girls. She said some really mean things to one of the girls and I felt horrible about it. Zadra, the sweetest girl tried her best to ignore her, but Taylor just would not let up. Taylor told Christine in a very proud way that she had made Christine cry on her birthday two years in a row. I called the kids together and told all of them that the party was not going to be any fun, for anyone, if they couldn't get along and be nice to each other. All the petty things that they were complaining about. "Hailey glared at me." "Taylor said she didn't like me." "Christine left her room and didn't even tell anyone she was leaving." "Britney said she doesn't want to sleep next to me." It went on like that until they went to bed at around midnight. When we played games the kids argued like crazy about who won. The next morning they all went outside and thought it would be really cool to get all muddy. It wouldn't have been bad except that they didn't have extra clothes to change into. They all came into the house like dirt clods. When each of the parents picked up their child they asked me how it went. I told them that it was a challenge and a few of the parents told me I was crazy to even attempt having six pre-teens stay overnight. One of the dads wished me good luck when he dropped his daughter off at our house. There were times when the kids were having fun, but it never seemed to last very long. I'm glad that Christine had other parties that were a lot of fun :) As parents we wear many hats. We are nurses, teachers, counselors, coaches, taxi cab drivers and the list goes on. Parenting is overwhelming at times, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Everyone have a good day :) Oh yeah, the girls started out sleeping in Christine's room, but they ended up sleeping in my room. All that giggling in my small bedroom, and I still slept like a baby.