December 5.

So Thanksgiving is over and we wait for the next Holiday. For me that is Dec. 5. Sinterklaas is coming.Years ago a Bishop called Sinterklaas came from Spain to help the poor.Some say he came with the boat and others say he was on a white horse. Whatever he came op North and helped out by giving people who did not have much .So trough the years he was celebrated for all the good he did.So on December 5 all the kids would put their wooden shoes by the fire place. Then they put some straw and carrots for the horse in the shoes. Then on the morning of December 6 Sinterklaas has been there and left gifts for the children, Small gifts and some candy.The first years that we were in the U.S.A.my father in law would stop by an knocked on the door and a black hand would come around the door and he would trow candy on the floor for my girls.Through the years I have tryed to keep op the tradition, but slowly less and less. One of my daughters has kept it up with her family. Then in the last years we have a new family member. A granddaughter in law. She has been very interested in traditions. They have children now and I hope that some of my memories will go on. I wrote that my father in law had a black hand. This was because Sinterklaas had a helper and he was called black Piet.In those years the Netherlands did not have black people. So he was scary.I also remember about ten years ago. I was working that day in the hospital.When I came home I got ready for the evening and never saw that something was different until the next morning. Under my Christmas tree where gifts. Some candy, gifts and a beautiful box and a few other things.Who was in my house when I was not home. Finally I knew who had been there. Sinterklaas.My grand daughters had surprised me. I still like to believe it was Sinterklaas. It is so good to know that my memories are being past on.

The meaning of Thanksgiving.

I know that Thanksgiving was a special day for the Indians to give thanks for the food they grown that summer.But Thanksgiving can have different feeling for different people. For me it means thanks for the many things trough the years, The thanks keeps on growing.My early years in life had many turns.My Dad was a hard worker and we where taking care of.My parents where loving but the burden grow more and more for them.Between 1923 and 1935 they had five children. The the war of 1940 started and every year it was harder for my parents to feed and dress us.My teens where gone. You lived from day to day.Then in 1949 my husband and I moved to the U.S.A.No money and no work. It was hard in the early years. The best thing was we had great love for one and other.That kept us going.Our lives got better and better. We lived very careful . I remember the first Thanksgiving by my in laws.It was a feast to see.But when I look back at some pictures from that time. How poor and homey we looked. But I never in my life seen a table like that.Through the years I learned to put on a Thanksgiving meal. Not always on Thanksgiving, but that did not matter, as long as we did get to enjoy a feast. I look back how happy my husband was to see them all around the table.So my Thanksgiving is now memories. They are good ones and I treasure them.But I do miss the old days and every year I miss my partner more and more.But life goes on. You have to, but again I will say I do have a lot to be Thankful for.

Who need men?

Not us.My treadmill has not been working this summer. Well I have it for many years and wonder if this is the end. But I began to screw around with the treadmill until every thing was exposed.Then I wondered what now. So I ask Brandon, my gym teacher and he said it might be a fuse.So got my manual out and looked and could not find a fuse. Brought my manual to Kirkwoods and hope a man would tell me, All there was where woman. And I said I am sorry but I need a man. Then one of the girls said mabey I can help. So she got on the computer to look for parts and then two girl decided they would go home with me and see.It was less then 5 minutes and my treadmill was working again. I never say it again I need a man. Woman can do us much and in some ways more then men. But please do not tell them.From the time I have been alone I do a lot my self, but I also know that if my husband was alive I would let him do a lot more. Somehow that manhood makes them feel good.I say hooray for woman.

A little dirty joke,

One of my neighbors was in his yard looking at his tomato's. They where big like a bowling ball. The other neighbors said how did you do that. He said every night I go outside and flash them. So all the neighbors did it and yes big tomato's Then a lady came by and looked , and looked and said how did you all get them so big. And they all said we flashed. So the next day the lady came back and said nothing happened to her tomato's,but her cucumbers where three feet long.

What a week.

Great weather, all week. I can not believe it. This is November. All my work is done outside.Yesterday I trimmed the clymatis and trumpet vine. I think that is all I can do until next spring.I would love to plant some tulips, but I have chipmunks around my house and they love the bulbs.What is so great about this weather? I went to the store and ran in several people I knew. Here we are standing out side talking with out a coat on. Like I said this is November. I remember a Nov. 7 , 56 years ago. Nancy's birthday and we had snow, and snow you could not look over it. This was Nancy's day and no one could come over for her party. The family where only a blog away.So let us enjoy this weather, there must be changes on our way.

Bragging.

Today I have to brag. We went out for lunch with the whole family for Nancy's retirement. And I am so proud of Anna and Dave how there kids where behaving. I have never seen kids so nice and well behaved. Anna is a staying home Mom. But it shows in the children.Lucy you are a sweet hearth and Freddy the way you look at me it is like your Dad was looking at me. Your eyes tell me every thing. You melt my hearth. I can not wait until you move to Egan road. You bring life to this area.

Suprise wheather.

This afternoon I came out of my exercise class and there was a dark sky.So I rode in to it and had the first taste of winter. First it rained,then it hailed, and did it hail. I was afraid it would hurt the windows. I rode carefully, but could not see much.The sides of the road were white and the road started to get slippery.By the time I was almost home it snowed a little. But nothing on the grass.My first taste of winter. Tomorrow the sun will shine and better weather. It has to be, that is my day with Nancy.

A Day in Thea's live.

This morning after breakfast I left for shopping. I had to pick up David Birthday present.They called and said it was ready.By the time I came home I got lunch ready for Kim and me. After lunch Kim fixed my computer and put my pictures from the camera on it.My computer is so slow that we did not get every thing done. I am taking my computer some evening to Kim's apartment.I had to get Kim out of the house on time so I could pick up one of my friends and go to a other friend to play cards.After that I went to see a sick friend of me.So finally I got home and there where several phone calls. I have not answered them jet. I first go and get me some supper. The evening is long and dark. Good time for calling.Hopefully tomorrow I have a other good day.While I was on the computer a e mail came in from my sister in law. My older brothers widow.It is so good to hear from her. She is a smart lady and her letters are interesting. We both have health problems, but our minds are still good. So a nice conversation by mail. So that is one day in my live.Exciting?

Genesee Valley Orchestra and Chorus.

Tonight Jim and I went to Evie's concert. It was excellent.They played Cherubini Symphony in D Major.45 minutes of labored playing. It was great. Then the chorus and orchestra played Requiem in C minor. A hour and a half of wonderful music. I told Evie I will be laying in bed tonight and still see her playing. I have seen many concert from her, but this one was close to the top.Starting with her concerts in her fourth grade of grade school, I am so proud of her trough all the years , and so would her Dad. I took a picture of her and will post it soon.Her and her violin.