Dear Family and Friends
Hello to all of you. We hope this letter finds you well. 2010 is coming to a close. It is simply amazing how fast time flies. It is time again for the annual catching-up-with the Joldersmas.
Martin was busy with work with the three guys working for him. He tried to squeeze in some home projects but there are only so many hours in a week. Our new attached garage was finished this past spring. Woo hoo. Much of the stonework on the garage came from our old chimney. Martin demolished the old garage out back, built a shed and did some landscaping. A fence went up along the back part of the property. There is still some landscaping to be done and he has started putting in a second driveway in.
I finished up with the Women's Guild at the high school. I spent quite a few years doing that but I enjoyed it a lot. I still do occasional catering for an office in Ancaster. I had a short term VON client this spring. I am also on the outreach team at church and there were a few projects this year. I still enjoy working on the photo albums and jigsaw puzzling. My absolute favourite work has been Home with a Heart. It is a 12 week program done through our church where I teach homemaking skills to single-mom clients of our local foodbank. We just finished up the third session in November. I worked with Leida Dykstra who is absolutely terrific. I get to meet amazing women– and I feel it is such a blessing for me to be involved with this program. It really feels like we are making a difference in their lives. My favourite response was when one of the women had said “I never realized the value of being a woman until I came (to Home with a Heart).”
There are only two kids left at home (so - everyone male - except me) and you can expect that there is a lot of ganging up on me. They do not seem to enjoy my bubbly personality early in the morning or appreciate my evening musical renditions. Although I do not understand why : )
Henry still works for John's Concrete Forming and enjoys the work. He got a new vehicle that has more room for lugging music equipment. His band put out a CD this spring and had a music video made. They were also nominated for a Hamilton Music Award.
Andrew had a summer co-op at All Tool in Stoney Creek which he enjoyed. He is back at Mohawk College at the moment. Another co-op, this one a year long, is to start in January. He is still playing bass for the praise team at church and has also done some of the singing. He played ultimate frisbee on two teams this summer with his Uncle Jeff and on another in the fall league. He is getting quite good at it and he loves the game.
As for getting out and about...Martin and I saw Anne play in an orchestra for a high school program of Horton Hears a Who. This summer I saw Miss Saigon in Toronto with Tena Boven and Wendy Verkerk on our annual roadtrip. We did a lot of walking – from St. Lawrence Market to Honest Ed's. I always enjoy the time I spend with those two women immensely. Anne, Shirley and I went to see Wicked in Toronto this fall (I'm still humming those songs). Andrew and I got to see Great Big Sea in November and I maintain that those boys put on the best concert ever. Plenty of memories made.
Martin and I also got up to the Soo for the Hotchkiss Reunion and what a time that was. Chatting with family. George, Jeffrey and Mike playing music. Chatting with my mom and dad in the motel room. Aunt Edie dialing in the backseat, dominoes, bagpipes and Aunt Dorothy's new tattoo. All grand memories. We got a chance to visit with Uncle Phil & Aunt Kay and George & Susan. We also went on the train ride to the Agawa Canyon on a day trip.
Martin and I were honourary Italians at our neighbour's 50th anniversary party earlier in the summer and so when we hosted the Joldersma Cousin's Day in October we had Italian food. Cousins Day is always such a nice day for us. We were very happy that so many took the time to come over. There were about 30 Joldersma relatives over for lunch and we had such fun reconnecting.
We had Alexander over during the week of VBS as Shirley and Jeff were working on getting their new house ready (downtown east end) I had forgotten how little gets done around the house with a two year old to chase after. He has also been sleeping over most Friday nights this fall when Shirley and Jeff are leaders for a youth group. He is such a joy to have around. He loves to go to the window and look for Buppa to drive up in his truck.
It was our 30th wedding anniversary this September and the kids gathered for a family picture which was very nice. You can note new additions of Karen's boyfriend Aaron and his two children Connor and Mary. Shirley and Jeff expect another baby soon and Christmas Day is the due date. Seems we can't stay away from those Christmas birthdays.
We pray that you feel blessed in your life. We look forward to seeing you again. Keep in touch.
For Martin, Henry and Andrew
Anita Joldersma
anita@eleveld.org
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