Thanks for the shoe boxes from British children

Arad City Hall at Christmas


The children
loved the boxes
many thanks.










Saint Nocholas .

Trying to make time to do my Blog. again !!!!

Well folks I have finally made it to write my blog again. It has been an eventful few weeks to say the least. I went to Hyde for a three week visit to see my sister, brother and family and of course to see how my home town was doing.

The first thing that hit me as I got off the plane at Manchester was the damp, it just seemed to go right through me.I thought how different it is in Arad where we do not have very much rain and so therefore it is not as damp here.It was lovely to see everyone even though I got a bad chest infection and had to visit the Doctor but had some very nice times in between.I saw my friend Janet a few times and old shcool friends Maureen and Cynthia , we talked of the teenage years we spent together (good times) and how we went dancing and walking and of course getting up to mischief. We certainly had a lot of laughs and said how things have changed, ( must be getting old ha ha !!)

I had contemplated may be going back to live in the Hyde area as I had been getting home sick and intended looking at accommodation and asking some questions but as the time went on and the more I saw and heard about muggings, drugs, vandalism etc etc. I decided this would not be a good idea , I thought what a nice apartment I have and not much crime here , also how peaceful it is where I live and how lovely the people are and all the friends I have made. So I came back home with a different attitude and have really enjoyed being back in Romania which I can honestly say is now my home.

Today is Saint Nicholas (Sfantul Nicolae) day, last night the children would have polished their shoes and put them out on the window sill or outside the front door. If they have been good they would get small gifts from Saint Nicholas of fruit, sweets or candy sticks. Today people will take gifts to friends, children and those in need.

I called at Kathy's day centre on Tues. for an hour and spent an hour colouring in with the children, Kathy was busy giving out hot soup and bread which was much appreciated as the weather is turning cold. She was also giving the poor, clothes , boots and shoes so they were very happy they had dropped in. It is lovely now at the centre and very homely and as most of them have no homes probably the only home they have. How lucky I feel when I see them in such need , thank goodness there are folks like Kathy and Ken who care!!! Amy was home from University and was helping too and putting up decorations which the children had made themselves.So it looks very festive now.

Well Christmas is nearly here , the tree is up and looking good outside the town hall and little stalls all in the square selling mulled wine and lot's of goodies . Soon there will be the carol singers too on the boulevard , Christmas is always really nice here and definatly not as commercial. You get the real meaning of Christmas which is very nice. Must get some more preparations done now ready to celebrate the holiday so will go now and get moving.