Hello friends!
Time flies. Wow, you have no idea what's been going on with us here in Texas because I have been a bit lazy about telling you. Not actually lazy, just pre-occupied with things such as my new writing job, an additional writing job, my daughter, husband, my new little boyfriend, a freshly permed poodle-esque disgusting hair coif and way too many dentally challenged ejits. The "missing teeth phenomenon" is so rampant here, I am reluctant to visit any office of dentistry in the Hill Country. Surely there is a vast left wing conspiracy re: dental care.
A few weeks ago, Henk and I were once again graced by the presence of a battered and smoking car in our driveway. The dude that exited the vehicle at first looked like a retired caucasian basketball player who, for a second career, signed up to be the bass player for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Skinny and seriously tall with seriously long hair to match, he exited the car holding what Texans call a "long neck" (a Lone Star beer with an extended neck on the bottle) at 9:30 in the morning. Remembering "Night of the Living Dead" I repeatedly yelled, "Go away!" from inside the living room while Henk went out to inquire the dude's business here. Of course, the dude was looking for someone else.
And then I was verbally assaulted by an equally if not more toothless meanie at a local restaurant - all because I asked a simple question along the lines of "Could I borrow the salt?". Spittle and F- bombs flying, the intoxicated-beyond-blood-poisoning creature had apparently decided it was much more sportive to attack a poodle-ish looking blond than to just pass the damn salt. After my semi-recovery from this onslaught, I again pondered the biggest question in my mind: Why did we move here? Only this time I said it out loud many times. Kind of like a broken record. Or a mantra, except I didn't find any peace when I chanted.
To be fair, all is not completely disgusting here...
October 31 was Sjaantje's first time to experience Halloween in the States when she was/is old enough to know what was happening. So for Halloween and the inevitable 'trick or treating', I joined my new friend Misti to take the kids out for a fun and candy filled excursion. Misti is the mother of Sjaantje's friend Lauren, her sister Samantha and the cutest little 4 year old fella ever - Jacob.
Jacob is talented in many ways: 1) facial expressions - he can crease his brow, quizzically cock one eye up or give you the sweetest smile, usually all 3 at the same time; 2) he is a natural with writing hieroglyphics, more so than any other 4 year old I've ever met; plus only he can decypher them; 3) Jacob already rides a bicycle, often over to visit us and then informs us of things like "I goy be Piderman. Fo Allowee." or "Daaay gau-ah nake one". Henk and I absolutely love this little guy. You would too, if you could meet him.
Henk had an inkling to make some Dutch pickles last weekend. The only problem being we didn't have a jar to put them in. No problem for Henko, he went shopping to find "the perfect jar". After perusing 2 or 3 different local stores, he finally found a vessel that was at least attractive but not really functional. (Imagine a 14 inch tall, 2 inch square rectangular jar that has been slightly twisted. Beautiful jar, indeed. But for pickles? How are you going to retrieve them? With a skewer?) The uber-friendly clerk tried to counsel Henk on his choice of jars. After having no success, she said "Lemme just give you uh jar uh pickles my brother and me just done made. Then you keep you the jar and use it for your there pickles." When Henk came home and showed me the two glass vessels - one with pickles, one without - he unthankfully said, "I can't believe she put dill in those pickles! Just look at that!"
Regarding Sjaantje Emile's progress in school, she's doing fine. So fine that she actually got in trouble a few weeks ago.
This is the note we've been waiting for from Sjaantje Emile's school, for too many years...
Mrs. Tilleman,
We've been having a few challenging days lately. Emile is talking a bit too much at her table and is missing instructions. Please talk with her about this. Thanks.
Yes, I actually cried and Sjaantje thought it was because she was in trouble. Selective Mutism be damned! Gone and forgotten. Apparently. I gave Sjaantje $10 and we watched the movie "Big" that night, just to celebrate. Am I a bad mom who encourages misbehavior in class?
With the tour season not happening yet, Henk is again bored. He's actually going to take some classes at the local college and get a different medical something or other. I told him that soon he'll be able to get two discounts at the movie theaters and museums: one for being a "senior citizen" and also a "student discount" - he didn't think that was too funny. However, I thought it was hilarious.
Big kiss to all of you -
Wend
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