Tsunami aid and relief for Japan

Photo above from CNN website

After Japan was hit by the destructive eartquake and tsunami. I tried to watch everyday in CNN Breaking News to see the updates on what's going on with Japan... My heart breaks over and over again to see those images and videos. But I know that it should not end with me here having tears and feeling sad for those people. I think we should do something in our own little way to help those in need.

I found out in CNN website the article: Tsunami aid and relief: How you can help. You can read there the charities helping Japan. And it is well explained on how you can donate to a chosen charity organization. Most of them are so easy just send text message with a corresponding word to a certain number then you'll be able to send $10. I'm here in Holland so I'm not really sure if it's working also here or maybe it would work only in USA.

The following charities are helping now in Japan which were mentioned also in the article on how you can help:

> World Vision
> American Red Cross
> The Salvation Army
> Americares
> Save the Children
> UNICEF
> Mercy Corps
> Convoy of Hope
> Globalgiving.org
> International Medical Corps
> ShelterBox
> Doctors Without Borders
> Americans Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
> Jewish Community of Japan
> Operation Blessing International
> American Humane Association
> Search Dog Foundation

At the end of the article it further says that "For more information, please read CNNMoney's story explaining how donors should watch the crisis unfold before sending contributions. The article also provides tips on what to give, where to give and how to avoid scams".

Indeed there are many ways to send our help or donations. My personal choice is the ShelterBox. It think in every box they send is a big help to every homeless family that is affected by disaster like the eartquake and tsunami in Japan.





The photo above is from website of Convoy of Hope. Where there's an article over 50,000 Meals expedited from Philippines to Japan.

There might be persons who could not give financial help. But I think they are still capable of giving big help by keeping the PRAYERS for the victims of this disaster. And by continuing the prayers that the Reactor no.3 of the Japan nuclear plant will not meltdown.

Mijn Vader en Moeder (My Father and Mother)

Last year, I greeted my father and mother's birthday, but my father was in Saudi Arabia then and mother was in Philippines, so I wrote my wish that they will be together on their birthday (dutch my life: Happy Birthday Mama and Papa!). My wish came true... Today is my father's birthday and tomorrow is my mother's birthday... And they are together now in Manila, my father came for a vacation in Manila last month and he will be staying there till first week of November... Oh! now, i have a new wish that on their next birthday (next year) I wish that we could have a chance to have a vacation too in Manila, so that we are all together. That would really be like a reunion ha.


I would write it again... "I thank God for giving us a parent like them kind hearted, generous, responsible, cheerful and loving mother and father to us... They've shared to us everything they could give... And I thank them for upbringing us with FAITH in God, because that's a treasure that would always stay in our hearts and they share it with all their LOVE... We are really blessed to have a parent like them. "

WE LOVE YOU MA and PA
May God bless both of you with love and happiness you truly deserve always.

Last but not the least, I appreciate how my father and mother bring music in our family and in our hearts.... I think that's what also make our family more lively and cheerfully... I'll never forget how we enjoy singing karaoke together and how my papa and mama dances on ordinary sunday by hearing oldies love songs in Radio... soooo sweet!

We miss you......
Big kisses from Ron, Marge and Mireille

De Jurk (The Dress)

Last Saturday, my filipina friend Cathy who is living in Schiedam (about 3 hours drive away from us) came to our house with her Dutch parnter, to bring some pasalubong... She just came back from Holland after her 2 weeks vacation in Philippines... And my family in Manila sends some small things for us here especially for Mireille... It made me proud that now, Mireille have her first jurk (dress) made by my Mama (as you can see in the photo)...

My mother is a dressmaker eversince and we grew up wearing clothes made by her, all our school uniforms from kindergarden to college level. And even on our teenage days when wearing casual dress or bestida (in tagalog) is not usual, she never get tired making clothes for us... not to mention all the dresses she made for me and my younger sister on special occassions like birthday, graduation day, recognition day or if we are going to attend special occassion.. And one of the special dress she made for me was my Wedding Dress...

As of now she still likes to make clothes and this time those are for her grand children like my nieces, Red and Steph... And the jurk (dress) for me daughter could just be one but for sure it's a VERY SPECIAL ONE... My daughter didn't realize yet that it was made by her Lola Berta but to see how proud she is when she wears it, could mean that for her it's also her special dress...

De Band Nuchter in Apeldoorn

Yesterday we went to Apeldoorn and attended the BBQ Party... De Band Nuchter (Ron, Fred, Dick and Harm) went there also and gave live performance... it's the first time I've watched them live, I saw them performing only on practices but everytime they have a performance I can't be there because I have to stay home with my daughter... It's good, last night we can sleep there too so there's no problem... We did enjoyed the night even Mireille every now and then dances with other kids there... and the BBQ food were delicious :)

Ahh, Summer vacation is over, back to school again... the past weekends were such busy days... 1st weekend we attended a birthday party, then on 2nd weekend we went to BBQ party here in Winschoten, then this 3rd weekend BBQ party in Apeldoorn... the coming weekend, no schedule yet, maybe it's time then for us just to stay home and relax, but for me it's time to give full attention again with my dutch lessons... party is over!

Filipijnse Lerares en Klasgenoten (Filipina Teacher and Classmates)

Last Wednesday, my Filipijnse Leraares en Klasgenoten (Filipina Teacher and Classmates) came to our house for a visit... In the photo you'll see me, Rhoda (my classmate), Ate Josie (assistant teacher), Ivy (my classmate) and Inday... It may seem funny to see Filipina studying dutch language but for me I'm proud in school, that at the same time, it's possible that a Filipina like Ate Josie could also be a teacher of dutch language...

Today, we did have a nice day... Ivy brought Binagnit (especially made by her with coconut milk) in Manila this taste like Ginataang Monggo... Then we ate Macaroni cooked by my sister-in-law Marjan... And because I'm so busy and don't have time to cook... I just prepared fruit salad... easy and delicious! lekker!

Mabuhay!

Fotolijst (Photo Frame)

I'm always fond of photos that's why our house will never be complete without fotolijst or photo frames in the wall... The first photo was in Mireille's bedroom, the photo of my family in Manila which you can see before the window so my daughter will be familiar with my family even they are in Philippines...

Then the 2nd fololijst (photo frame) is hanging above the computer with all the Grandfathers and Grandmothers of Mireille. Also her cousins are in the photo...

Then the 3rd photo is in the Living Room... the Mulder Family, Ron, me, Mireille end Sharon en Nienke... Also our wedding photos are there too...

Openbaar Vervoer (Public Tranportation)

I've been here in Holland for one and half year already but it's my first time now to take an Openbaar Vervoer or Public Transportation... Normally, everytime we have to travel we are with the car so we don't really need to take a train or a bus to go somewhere... And of course, I have my bicycle to go with if i have to go to the center to buy something and if i have to go to school as well... But this summer vacation, I got a chance to have a Summer job, just for 3 weeks working in the Canteen in one of the Company in Nieuwe Pekela, that was about 10 km or more away from here in Winschoten, so going with bicycle is not possible for me that's a bit far...

I have no choice but to take bus going to work because my husband this week have early work and there's no chance for him to bring and get me from work.... Anyway, I'm thankful, it's not really so hard because there's a website here www.journeyplanner.9292.nl that could guide you if you want to take an openbaar vervoer or public transport.... Just fill in the address where you will leave then the address where you will arrive, then the time and date you want to leave from your place or fill in the target time you want to aarive in particular place.. then choose if you want to travel with the bus, train, tram or taxi then click the Admise me to get the result... It's easy, you will even be guided if you need to walk in some particular place and could even show the duration of your travel also the estimates of how much it would cost you the bus ticket. I think this website is even useful for foreigners as well... try it!

In Philippines, I began travelling with public jeepney when I'm just 11 yrs. old and together with my 2 younger brothers and younger sister. Oh! what a responsibility I have then, my parents were working that's why we travel alone... Anyway, that was a nice experience of us too, imagine 4 of us kids travelling together, that's fun! Travelling with public jeepney in Manila is not really a far drive maybe just about 4 to 10 km in distance...

But I began travelling with the bus when I started working because taking public jeepney is not enough anymore... That was so different with my experience here in Holland.. Here was so easy, not so loaded with passengers and you can only take and leave the bus only in bus stop station, and you have to look good with the schedule because if you miss the bus, the next will come after an hour... Unlike in Manila, hahaha! you have to be strong and firm during rush hour, you have to learn how to run tried hard to be in front of the door of the bus when it arrives so you can get in or else you will be left because it's fully loaded already with passengers as in jam pack, that was an experience!

At Home

It's a month ago since we moved to another house... The photo frames to be hang on the wall are not yet ready but some of my friends wants to see some photos already so here are the photos inside the house... It's not so big, but big enough for us...

It's true what they say there's no place like "Home"...
Just feel at home.....

Blogger

Exactly a year ago, I began writing blog.... I'm glad there's Blogger website that is for free and ready-made template, so having a blog is not really creating a website, but just writing and re-arranging the contents or gadgets you put in your blog...

After the 1st week in writing, that's the time I sent email and informed some of my friends to please try to visit my blog if they have time... I was so consious then if i'm doing it good or not? If my english grammar are right or wrong? Do I have interesting topic or not? Anyway, I did received some feedback then like don't be afraid if the english grammar is wrong or right after all it's just a blog, just writing anything you want... At first, I wanted to write my blog in Tagalog language because for sure I could make it funnier or with some humor in tagalog but I have readers who can't understand tagalog, so I chose english so most readers around the world could understand, although lately writing in english is giving some complict already with my stuying dutch language... especially English and Dutch have different rules in grammar to each other....

By the way, last year I received also a feedback from my officemate before in Tariff, Kuya Eric said to me "Wow! Marge I did not know you have TALENT in writing".... At first I did not gave attention, I thought with my writing was just writing, I did not see any talent... I just wrote down what I want to say, simple as talking.... Then lately I realized, that Kuya Eric is right... it's not just writing, because for me, I need so much thing like some inspiraTION, motivaTION, lots of concentraTION and most of all internet connecTION, hehe! Anyway, I know there are days, weeks and month that i don't have blog, but it doesn't mean I don't have ideas or topics to write about because that's what I have a LOT... I have topic in my mind everyday, I even made some pictures for blog still save in my computer with different topic to write on... but there are more than those -TION I needed in writing blog and those were TIME and ENERGY...

I don't know... I'm just really a BUSY PERSON, it's like I always have something to do and most of the time I'm giving the time for myself to write my blog at night before going to bed but then I would always find myselft so tired already for the whole day activities so I cannot concentrate anymore to write...

But this night, I did reserved my time in writing for my 1st year Anniversary as Blogger.
I do enjoy blogging, anyhow my blog is the best way for me to update all my family and friends about what going on with "dutch my life"... with smile always -marge

Verhuizen (Moving into Another House)

Three weeks ago, we moved to another house, here in Holland the dutch term is "Verhuizen"... It was such a very important day here, some people who are working has even a right to have a free day like vacation leave for that day....

As for me, this is like the first time experience of moving to another house... Way back in Manila, since I was born our family just moved to another place just once. I was 7 years old then, so I was so young to learn things about moving to another house...

Anyway as early as first week of June, we did signed the contract already with the renting of house effective July 1, so at that moment we are sure already that we got that house, then on that day we have the chance to go again inside the house and walk around.... It's one month preparation and somehow it's good... We have a chance to plan on how and where are we going to put the furnitures in the house. I also made a list of the things we needed in every part of the house like in the living room, dining room, bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and toilet. Then two weeks before we move, my husband brought from his work some "verhuizen dozen" or boxes used especially for those moving to another house. We used about 20 boxes, and I made it organized by labeling the box per room.

After we received the keys, we cleaned the house right away and we did the moving on the following day. Actually we are just about 100 meters away from the old house where we live in going to the new house so we don't really need to rent a truck for the transportation of our things... We thank Papa Willem, Greg, Mama Gea and Marjan for helping us with moving....

I've realized that it takes time before you can put everything in it's proper place especially you have to clean first every part of the house before you put things in it... On the first week the living room and dining room were ready plus of course the bedrooms... Then on 2nd week I made sure that everything in the kitchen was ready. And the clothings were already in the clothing cabinet. Now is the 3rd week, I make it sure that the curtains are complete. This time I used my talent in sewing clothes, I did gave my time in repairing the curtains, somehow it's nice you can buy curtains here that are like ready-made so it's easy to repair and cutting it in its right lenght... Then my husband became busy hanging the things that should be hang in the wall like those three paingtings we received from Daniel, Ivy and Raymunda.

Next week we want to make sure that the photo frames for hanging in the wall will be ready too...

Sleuteks (Keys)

I haven't mention yet here in my blog, but most of my friends knew that for the past few months already, we're busy looking for another house.... It's not really so easy especially in the first Realty office where we are looking for a house, every week we have to register to the house we like, but it's a Lottery system, we have to be lucky because it's the computer who will choose who's in the 1st place or in other words who got the chance to rent the house...

Then my husband tried to put a post in the internet that we are looking for a house here in the Winschoten... Although every now and then we did tried to apply also for house in another place... As for me, I asked my family and friends to please pray also for us that we could have the house... We did prayed and I told my husband that when we will have it, for sure the blessings will be with it...

So after few weeks that my husband posted in internet that we are looking for a house... Suddenly an owner of the house for sale here in Winschoten wrote email to Ron... Supposed to be it's for sale but for us she's willing to let us rent her house... Anyway, this is not yet the moment for us to buy a house...

Actually on my birthday, that was 22 of May, we did have a chance to visit already and to look inside the house... I feel like it's like a birthday gift for me... It's an apparment style and we are going to live in the 2nd floor... Then on 1st week of June we met the owner already and we did signed the Contract...

Finally we got today the SLEUTELS (KEYS) of our new house....
Thank you to all my friends and family who prayed for us to have the house...
and we Praise and Thank God for this blessing....
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About the photo, I want to acknowledge the source of the photo... (of course I cannot post here the real photo of our keys for security reason, hehe!)... But I got this photo from this link of www.accessibility.nl ... But i did saw this photo also in this link of www.schoolmetdebijbel.com...
And also in this link of www.dag.nl - a news website here in Holland... they used the photo with the news titled "Software vervalst sleutels" or "Software forged keys", it's in dutch but somehow the summary is be careful in showing the photo of your keys in the internet because there are software that can copy the details of your key. I did thought about it that's why I tried to search photo online... Make sense ha!

Filipijnse Buurvrouw (Filipina Neighbor)

Today, we have a sort of BBQ Party at the house of Klas and Ivy... They are living in another street near to where we live, but I always say that Ivy is my Filipina Buurvrouw (Filipina Neighbor) or kapitbahay here... We have another Filipina kapitbahay here named Rhoda, she is living with Pim (dutchman) in few streets away from us... Tina came also with her kids, she is an Indonesian friend of Ivy... Today was such a good weather and we really have a nice day at BBQ Party...

Ivy and Rhoda were not only my filipina kapitbahay here, they are also my klassmates in the Dutch language lessons in the school, but they sit now in another group... I'm in Level 2 group, Ivy in Level 3 and Rhoda in Level 4 group... Sometimes, mostly on Friday we make schedule to eat lunch mostly at Ivy's house... The typical food for lunch here is bread... but whenever we made the schedule to eat together in lunch, then for sure it will be Filipino food, like rice with sinigang na isda, dried fish, pusit, adobo or nilagang baboy... sarap!

I'm glad I have Ivy and Rhoda as my filipina neighbors here... talking tagalog, eating filipino food, talking over bringing-up the child in dutch and filipino way, talking about the reality that filipino culture runs in our blood and sometimes we have to combine it with the dutch culture that is around us.... of course, we are inbracing dutch culture the way we embrace our dutch husbands... Still, we may be streets away from each other but we are neighbors in a filipino way....

Influenza Pandemic alert raised to Phase 6

Influenza Pandemic alert raised to Phase 6

11 June 2009 -- On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The Director-General of WHO has therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6. "The world is now at the start of the 2009 influenza pandemic," she said at a press conference today.
Read Dr Chan's statement to the press
-WHO (World Health Organization)

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Lately, I didn't noticed any Swine flu update here in TV News... But I know exactly how it's spreading fast, almost 1,000 per day were infected around the world... I know it, because my husband is informing me, every day or at least 2 times a day, his checking out in the internet particularly in the website of WHO (World Health Organization) about the updates of Influenza A(H1N1) known as "Swine Flu"... He's informing me the updates of how many were in infected around the world, how many in Netherlands, then in Germany, because we are living near to the boundary of Germany... And then how many were infected in Philippines of course...
I'll admit, I'm so busy lately with my own health situation, busy with studying dutch languange, busy preparing for moving to the new house, busy everyday here in the house... busy writing in my blog, busy in facebook account..... but later, I will really try to search more about Influenza A (H1N1)...
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Influenza A(H1N1) - update 47

11 June 2009 -- As of 14:00 GMT, 11 June 2009, 74 countries have officially reported 28,774 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 144 deaths.

Click this link -Influenza A(H1N1) - update 47 -To see the table with the breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases, commulative total and deaths by country as of June 11, 2009, 14:00 GMT.

Mastopathie (Fibrocystic Breast Condition or Fibrocystic Changes)

Yesterday, I got right the result of my Breast Biopsy last tuesday... The Surgeon, named Dr. De Vries of St. Lucas Ziekenhuis (Hospital) where I have my breast biopsy, said... it's "Mastopathie" or known in english as Fibrocystic Breast Condition or Fibrocystic Changes)... He told me there's nothing to worry, it's normal for many women... it's just because of changes in hormones every menstruation... or As for my case, it could be possible that those were still the milk that was left in my breast after i stop giving breast feeding to my daughter, 3 weeks after I gave birth or way back 2007... I asked the doctor if I still needed to undergo operation for them to remove it.. but he said, it's not necessary, no medication needed as well... But I have new appointment for Ultrasound afte 6 months or November 2009, for control....
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I PRAISE AND THANK GOD for blessing me with result of the breast biopsy I have... Thank you also to all your prayers.. May God continue to bless us all.

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As usual, I tried to search again about Mastopathie (Fibrocystic Breast Condition or Fibrocystic Changes)... and the MedicineNet.com, have it well explained again...

Fibrocystic breasts are characterized by lumpiness and usually discomfort in one or both breasts. The condition is very common and benign, meaning that fibrocystic breasts are not malignant (cancerous). Fibrocystic breast disease (FBD), now referred to as fibrocystic changes or fibrocystic breast condition, is the most common cause of "lumpy breasts" in women and affects more than 60% of women. The condition primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 50 and tends to become less of a problem after menopause. ... read more - MedicineNet.com

Borstbiopsie (Breast Biopsy)

Last May 20 or about 3 weeks ago, I went to the St. Lucas Ziekenhuis (Hospital) and have a mammogram and ultrasound of my breast, because since February I always have breast pain everytime my monthly period will come... Actually my only appointment on May 20then was to have Mammogram but after it, the doctor requested me to stay and have directly the ultrasound, because they saw something in my breast... The doctor then said, I have cyst in my right breast but at the same time, she wanted to investigate the spots they saw from my mammogram in the side of my right breast... Then the doctor recommended me to have an appointment for Borstbiopsie (Breast Biopsy), that was today...

Yes, I've waited for 3 weeks since then, oh! deep inside I really got worried, and I know my family too... but for three weeks i tried to avoid to give so much attention about the word "Breast Cancer"... I did not even had the courage to write it here in my blog last May 20... I did not even write emails to my girl friends about my situation then... I just don't want to talk or write about it... But of course, I started to ask my family to pray for me for the coming biopsie then... But I heard my name is sometimes included in the Mass intentions for the sick to get well in holy masses in Parish of the Holy Family (in Karuhatan)...

It's only last night before I went to bed that I tried to search about the biopsie, and the youtube video i attatched here somehow gave idea for me on what's going to happen...



I think the doctor uses the Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to me...

I did some research and the MediceNet.com had well explained the Breast Biopsy...
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A breast biopsy is a procedure in which part or all of a suspicious breast growth is removed and examined, usually for the presence of cancer. The growth sample is suctioned out through a needle or cut out using a surgical procedure. The sample is then examined and evaluated under a microscope by a pathologist to identify non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) tissue.

Words used to refer to the abnormal area or growth before and after diagnosis may include lump, mass, lesion, and tumor.... read more (-MedicineNet.com)

Pinksterdag (Pentecost)

Yesterday was Pinksterdag (Pentecost)... If there is Easter Sunday and non-working holiday here on 2nd Easter day (Easter Monday).... Today is non-working holiday too because it's Tweede Pinksterdag (2nd Pentecost day)... Even they say there are not really so much Catholics here in Holland, I just noticed they still have some non-working holidays here that were related to Catholic Feast day..

Anyway, in the evening after eating dinner, Ron went to the Stadspark (near to our house) and do the fishing there... But it was not really a success because of the birds that fly around and tried to get the bread that Ron throws for the fishes, hehe (as you can see in the 1st photo)...
Me and Mireille went there and stay for few minutes... By the way, I just noticed Mireille likes to carry her Hello Kitty bag today as you can see in some photos too in Slide show below... :)

Dag van het Park (Day of the Park)

Ook weer zo’n zin om lekker naar buiten te gaan? Soms hoef je helemaal niet ver weg om leuke dingen te doen. Laat je verrassen in een park bij jou in de buurt tijdens de Dag van het Park op zondag 31 mei. Het is al de vijfde keer dat de ANWB dit groene evenement samen met verschillende gemeenten in Nederland organiseert. Het belooft weer een leuke dag te worden vol culturele, sportieve, culinaire, groene en andere activiteiten in het park...(lees verder) -www.dagvanhetpark.nl

English Translation: Again some good sense to go out? Sometimes you are not far away for fun things to do. Let yourself be surprised in a park near you during the Day of the Park Sunday, May 31. This is the fifth time that the ANWB this green event together with various municipalities in the Netherlands organizes. It promises a great day to be full of cultural, sporting, culinary, green and other activities in the park.... -www.dagvanhetpark.nl ____________________________________________________________________

Winschoten, our Gemeente (Municipality) is one among the participating municipalities... The activities were held at the Het Rosarium and the Stadspark (City Park) from 1:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon... Actually the the Stadspark and Het Rosarium were just walking distance from our house... so even there's no special occassion we always go there by walking around the Stadspark... The weather is nice.... we walk around, we ate poffertjes (like small pancakes) and ice cream, the kids have special shape balloons, they don't have a chance to have face painting, because there are so many kids falling in line..we thought those parachuters will have their landing in the Het Rosarium, but then it was in Stadspark, so we didn't see them close... Then we went straight to the house of our Filipina neighbor here Ivy, and drink koffee and eat delicious cassava cake made by her...

Anyway, here are some organizations here in Winschoten that joined the activities and invited everyone who wants to join their organization...

1) HCK - Hockey Club Winschoten
2) True Flight Archery
3) Goochelaar Jasper Gray (Magician, actually he's the one who's makes different shape of balloons as you can see in the photo).
4) Vita Nova Toneelvereniging (Drama Club)
5) Hengelsportvereniging Excelsior Winschoten (Fishing Association)
6) Winschoter Kunstrolschaats Club (Skating Club)
7) Golfclub Westerwolde
8) ClubWinschoterGroen
9) Gewichts en Conditiecentrum Winschoten (Weight and Fitness Center)
10) Stedelijke Muziekvereniging Nieuw Leven Winschoten (Urban Music New Life Winschoten)
11) Sportcentrum Nico Jager Winschoten (Sports Center)
12) Damclub Winschoten (Dams)
13) FlyingBirds Winschoten (Cross Biking)
14) Sla Raak Tennisvereniging (Tennis Club)
15) Prenger Hoekman (Physical Therapy)
16) Schaakclub Van der Linde (Chess Club)
17) Kinderboerderij Winschoten (Children's Farm)

Actually there are more organization or sports club here in Winschoten that were not written above, like the table tennis club, runners, wandelen (walkers), swimmers and others. I just wrote here those information from pamplets that were included in the free bag we received from the organizers of Dag van het Park... Mooi zo!

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers day!!! to every mother in the world...
Fijne moederdag toegewenst voor mijn schoonmoeder "Mama Gea"!

and Happy Mothers Day to the
BEST MOTHER IN THE WORLD... my Mama
I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU EVER KNOW and
I MISS YOU SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH