I’m a “Mom”!
January 13th, 2005 (Current Mood: 
)
Today my mailbox was full! Along with my bank statement, electricity bill, a cheque (woot!), some work and a Fahrenheit 9/11 DVD, was a big envelope I have been waiting a couple weeks for:
This is Makoura, she is 9 years old and lives in Kissidougou, Guinea
(I do hope whatever happened to her head to require a bandage isn’t serious and didn’t hurt much!!) I received my Foster Parents Plan package today. We have all seen the television spots hosted by Rod Black on CTV for this and in the back of my mind it was something I always planned to do “at some point”. Then on New Year’s Day I was watching and within 30 seconds I just started BAWLING. Uncontrollably. The “ugly” cry. Maybe it was the thought of all those children affected by the Tsunami as well that made it really hit me extra hard this time, I don’t know. All I know is that I went straight to my computer to sign up, because “I may not have much, *sob* *sob* *sniffle*, but I have a lot more than they do! *sob* *sniffle* *sob*”. They say on TV that you can pick the age, sex and location of your child. I was thinking ideally I’d like a girl, around 9 or 10, somewhere in Africa. But when you actually sign up, it gives you the option of choosing these particular things, or clicking “I would like to sponsor a child who has been waiting the longest”. Well, duh. As if I’m going to get all picky about what I want!! Just let me help a child who needs it, I don’t care what sex or age or where they are. So I choose to help a child who has been waiting the longest, and get exactly what I was hoping for anyway!! 
Makoura and her mother Gnalen
Now I need to find a picture of me to send to her and write a letter about myself and my life here. I don’t think I have any recent pictures of me that aren’t taken with musicians, and I really don’t think she cares who Lindy, Billy Klippert or the Polyjesters are. I guess it’s up to me to teach her! 
Speaking of Billy, he is coming to town at the end of the month as part of the Bluebird North tour. I got my ticket today and I am thrilled to pieces because it looks as if my friend Blair is co-hosting after all!! I am awaiting confirmation from him. The first article I read online about this show didn’t have his name involved, but as VP of S.A.C., he has been the co-host/producer of this event every other year, so I had my fingers crossed. His name is in there on the updated calendar, so yippeeee!! I haven’t seen him in sooooo long. I wish we also got Alan Frew, Danny Michel and Gordie Sampson at this show too!! I’d be in heaven!! Ahhh well, Billy and Blair will have to do I guess
It’s been really nice having these two days off… I haven’t done any of the stuff I thought I would! (Except for exercising in the morning and eating healthy. I am doing that!) I have been sleeping in, staying out of the cold, puttering around and not worrying about anything. The only work I did today was talk to a few clients about the changes in their payroll now that it is 2005 and get on their cases about getting “their stuff” to me that I asked for months ago. I swear, sometimes I feel like a nagging wife with these guys. They KNOW what they are supposed to bring me and when, so if I leave them a message about it, I leave it in their hands to look after it. They are grown men. If they can’t get their poop in a group I am not going to get stressed about it. I gave one guy a real deadline today, and I won’t be the least bit surprised if he doesn’t meet it. He can pay the CCRA’s interest charges then, I am finally learning not to worry about it.
I’m off to read through this big Foster Parents Plan package, have some supper and watch my movie. Ciao!
Edit - just heard from Blair! He is going to be here on the 27th!!!!!!!! YAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
Aw too bad for you cause Alan Frew will be at the Winnipeg one
, nee ner nee ner nee ner 
. Blair will be at ours too, I was gonna mention to you that I saw him on the updated list, glad you found out.
Congrats on becoming a “mom”, that’s a wonderful thing to do
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ohhh Donna that rocks socks! it rocks a lot of socks.
tell that billy fellow i say hello, hey?
Were going to see Billy, were going to see Billy…woot!
Can’t wait to see you Donna! And ev’yone else!
I think that by the time you have fully entered your little sponsored child’s life, that dreary look on her face will change-in to a SMILE
I am so glad you took this upon yourself to sponsor someone. I have always wanted to, but never really did it. I guess instead I have chosen to sponsor animal organizations which do the same thing-but at least you have a picture of the person you are helping. I can totally see it-one day, you two meeting and her life changing. How appropriate of you to be working on changing your life at the same time as changing someone elses! This is a fabulous thing for you to be doing 
Congrats Donna!
Years ago (when I was young - LOL) my Sunday school sponsored a child and we got letters back and forth for years, hearing about his life. I’ve always thought that I should do that on my own someday - but which organizations are reliable, actually use your money for the people you’re supposed to help, etc. Maybe I should stop just “thinking about it” and find out the answers to my questions.
Okay, you’ve inspired me!! I finally stopped “thinking about it” and signed up today!! I asked for a little girl from South America. Originally, I was going to request a child in Kenya or Tanzania since I’ve been there, but then I read the part where if you want to meet the child someday you can. So I decided to pick a part of the world I might go to, rather than a place I’ve already been.
Hopefully I’ll get my info package soon and then we can share pictures, just like “real moms.” LOL
That is AWESOME Michelle!! I heard they were pretty backed up with sending out the pictures/packages, but mine took just under 2 weeks so it won’t be long. Congratulations!!