Tipping and news

We have been a bit busy lately so I have Kara at home with me, with a sore tummy and not feeling great, my marks chocolate from a special friend and ready to write.

Where to start..........

We all know the Americans are very well know for their tipping and also expecting tips too. I asked a few people what the going rate was and who gets tipped. You have to tip the postman, rubbish man, bus driver and monitor, buy presents for all the teachers and give a $20.00 donation to their end of year gift. That adds up to quite a lot of cash. I said to Leon I was not going to tip the bus driver but make a card and say Thank you. I had given them cards and biscuits on Thanksgiving. When I gave the card to the driver and monitor their thank you was really big that I am sure they thought there was cash inside the envelope. The bus monitor I thought was a fantastic lady. Sometimes she would be the only person I would have talked to the whole day. I really liked her. Well that loving feeling has gone and she barely acknowledges me. It feels terrible that she was only nice to me for the tip. I have decided for the kids sake we will tip and because they travel twice a day with these people best we keep them on our side. It has really left a bitter taste.

Leon wrote his exam and passed with a fantastic 97%. So all done and dusted. We can now have a glass of wine together. We need to get into the Christmas spirit now.

Kara has made friends with a fantastic little girl called Megan. Megan is a triplet. What fantastic kids, their dad died when they were all 2 months old and Jenny the mom has bought up the three kids on her own. Megan and Abby had such fun at our mad hatters tea party they came over and bought Kara and Victoria a tea set to paint. So special. It amazes me what wonderful people have come into my life.

Friday night I had my first girls night out. I met Karina who is the first friend I made when we arrived in the US. We laughed so much and it really felt like we had been friends for years.

Saturday night was our first night out on our own. No kids what a pleasure. Got the usual Christmas outfit out and put on the lipstick and did the hair. The hair is in need of a cut but the thought of maybe someone turning my head into a mop of curls and shouting out I now look beautiful is too scary. I recon long hair is the way to go.  We were invited to Debbie and Marks house. Once again we met such fantastic people. I have always said God would only send wild and wonderful people to my doorstep for me to learn and get me to listen. Well, boy they were all there on this Saturday night. You always get the ones talking about their diamonds and how big they are. I shocked the life out of them when they wanted to see my rocks. I got the "oh that's lovely"?????? a few years ago that would have really bothered but now not interested. I want to go on a wonderful holiday with my family instead. Next it was another South African who is a breathe of fresh air. If you thought I spoke the mind, Mare was wild. She had me in tears, them fits of laughter, then tears again. Her mom came out the closet when she was 21. Her stories were so touching. Nice to know my family situation is not abnormal. Well abnormal to me but we all have our problems. Next it was a mad Scottish lady called Heather. The wine was flowing nicely now and we thought it was hysterical two Heather's in one room. It sounds a bit flat putting it on email but we laughed. Then we chatted to Debbie's parents who are from Zimbabwe. It felt like I had my dad standing next to me and listening to his voice. Leon came over and gave me the squeeze he also commented how similar they were. The hardships those people have been through is unbelievable. The have moved heaven and earth to be here in the USA with family and to see the grand kids. Their positive attitude was just so wonderful and we were so lucky to be in their company. 

Sunday it was Mark and Stacey for a roast chicken on the braai. Mark bought a new braai so he had to play. Stacey's mom is over for three months to help Stacey and be with the grand kids. We all had the huge debate about what is the answer been so far away from family in South Africa. It's a hard one. Seeing Stacey's mom in tears because her son is getting married and all the family can't be together is a hard one to watch. What is the right reason we never got there.

For now we have chosen to be here America and it's great. The move is fantastic for Leon's career and our own family unit have benefited.

Boy I am chatting away.

Yesterday my friend Orit came over for tea and when it was time to leave the car would not start. I had Victoria open the garage, my overalls were on (joking) and I was going to jump start her car. Well Orit nearly went white and said maybe we should call the AA. I was just about to jack up the car and check under the engine. Jokes aside but I think she thought two ladies playing in the bonnet of the car might be dangerous. When I told her Lisa and I had to call the fire department because the BBQ caught alight it was better to leave the car alone. That would have been a laugh to add blown up battery to the list of horror stories.

Kids still at school which is a real pain but Thursday is right around the corner.

Sending huge Christmas love to all the special people in our lives.