Friends & Fellowship = Operation Julie's Smile

The day has finally arrived!

The Operation Julie's Smile Blog Hop

has begun!

If you've arrived here from the

Sweet Stamp Shop

then you are right where you need to be!

If you are just stopping by and have no

clue what this weekend's blog hop is

about, I am going to defer you back to

the link above at SSS because it is there

you will find out the background of this

benefit put together by my very

dear friends, including over $2500 in prizes

that you can be eligible for!

Here on my blog, i'd like to share my story

for those who have question as to why

I would be the recipient of such a benefit.

But first....here is a little creativity to share...

I felt the best way to explain how I felt about the

number of friends who have come out to support this

was immeasurable and this designer paper from

My Mind's Eye's 'Lime Twist' were perfect!

The stamped sentiment is from the Sweet Stamp Shop,

our gracious hosts of this big event.

Over 120 blogs are hosting posts for you to visit

and you will have all weekend to do so.  When you

stop by each and leave a comment, you will be entered

to win any number of our prizes valued in total at $2500.

Before I share my next card with you, here is a little

bit about what happened to bring this benefit to life...

Growing up in the 1960's, there were medications that were used

on children that were very damaging to teeth.  I struggled with

5-6 years of ruptured ear drums and inner ear struggles and was

of course, put on these medications.

My parents did all they could to give me the healthiest teeth possible,

continual root canals, braces that could only stay on a short period

of time due to the weakness of my teeth, etc.

For most of my adult life, I did quite well, but it was always in

the 'future plans' that something major would have to be done in order

to get by, but it was our hope that I might make it until at least 60

before I would have to worry.

But then it happened....

One weekend last month, I chipped my front teeth along with

two others alongside those.

An emergency trip to the dentist came Monday morning after a

weekend of pain and his recommendation was that these teeth were

no longer worth saving and that I ''really needed to get them out now".

We asked what the plan of action would be from there and were told

that now was the time to have the rest of the teeth extracted and face 

the future of dentures, as I apparently had 4 more teeth on the bottom 

that would need root canals within the next six months.

When we expressed concern at the financial burden that would come

with such a decision, the dentist turned to us and said "don't worry, we

will work out payments for you, but for now, we need to get these out

so you can begin the healing process so we can proceed"

So the teeth were removed....

I was then directed to the oral surgeon to have the rest of my

teeth removed, but before I could do that, I needed my dentist to

make the impressions for the dentures first, that way, while I was still

under the anesthetic, he would deliver the dentures so I wouldn't have

to wake up without teeth.

Here is where everything came to a halt.....

When I called to make the appointment for the impressions,

the receptionist told me that I would need to bring $3000 along with me.

I explained to her that the dentist had already said that he would "work with

me to set up payments'' and her response was, ''no, that was just for the

extractions you had that day!!!"

Then I was told that to have the rest of the extractions, it would be

an additional $4000 and if I could ''just bring that along with me..."

Paul & I couldn't believe what we were hearing because now here

I am without front teeth, apparently 4 other teeth

that will cost me a total of $4800 to just 'fix'

and other teeth that chip with the slightest bite into something.

We are a one income couple and Paul works every single

moment he can to make ends meet and we do have some

dental insurance, but it barely covered the cost of the extractions.

So that is where we are today and when my friend Nicole from

Sweet Stamp Shop heard about what happened, she started

the wheels in motion to have this fundraiser in hopes of

helping me regain my smile.


How did I personally become so involved 
in the 'promotion' of this benefit?


Most of you who know me, know that I am a professional
event organizer and am in retail marketing by trade.
I don't work outside of my home and have now
found myself as a professional DT Coordinator.


When I heard what Nicole had already put in motion,
I asked if I could 'work' for the donations...as if I
were outside of my home, working overtime to
earn money to have my dental work paid for.


And THAT is what I have been doing....

Over 120 blogs who are hosting a post for your to visit...

Over $2500 in prizes for you to win

and a chance to help out with a donation in whatever

way you are able.

I couldn't help but think of the friendship

that has come along during my time

of blogging these past 2 years

and these cards are for you...

 For those of you who have: 

stopped by and said hello

celebrated with me 
when my grandsons were born 

encouraged me when days are rough

and most importantly 

have become real friends

we laugh together

cry together

design together

create together

watch our favorite shows together

and blog together

Thank you so kindly for coming by today.

If you are able to donate a little something

to help re-create my smile,
just click the button here

I would appreciate just knowing you

stopped by to say hello, 
so please leave a comment.

Prizes will be available to those who:

**are able to donate

**host a stop on the hop

**leave a comment during the hop

Over 80 prize packages available!

It's time for you to get on with the hop.

Thank you for indulging me by letting me

share my complete story...I am pretty sure

most stops on the hop will be much shorter!

Enjoy the hop...you have ALL weekend!

Your next stop is my dear creative friend,

Lindsay Amhrein

Project Recipe: 

Designer Paper: 'Out of the Blue' Lime Twist by MME
Ink: 'Tuxedo Black' by Memento, Red Pepper by Ranger
Stamps:  'Sweet Tooth' by Sweet Stamp Shop
'Trees2Build' by Stamps of Life

Tools:  Labels Ten Die by Spellbinders, 
Big Shot, Fiskars Border punch & Corner Rounder
Embellishments: bakers twine in Caribbean & Lemondrop by The Twinery
Brads by Making Memories, Chipboard Sentiment 'Lost & Found 2' by MME