Yay, Friday, December 16 was such a very special day for both of us.
After breakfast husband Pieter took a shower and was getting ready for posting my parcel, that I'd sold...
I heard his phone ring so I answered and walked over to my husband.
The lady calling started talking about the Jingle In Your Pocket drawing and that Pieter had won the Grand Prize.
WOW!
Not a good photo but this was in Saturday's local newspaper.
Yep, Pieter did win the Grand Prize of $ 1,000 and he is holding out the gift certificates of $ 100, $ 20, $ 15 and $ 10 each for promoting shopping at home.
That's what the entire event is all about, organized by the local Chamber of Commerce.
That was indeed a very lucky day for winning the $ 1,000 grand prize!
It sure did make me sing and dance better when we did perform for our Dublin Rotary Club where husband Pieter is a member too.
After a very tough year, we feel like this Grand Prize was a GIFT from HEAVEN!
The Dutch Government has not been treating us justly and only for POLITICAL REASONS...
It especially applies to ex patriates...
Since 2015, both of us can no longer have a fiscal partner; which results in a lot higher additional taxes over our Dutch pension.
Two examples of a single breadwinner (top) versus two breadwinners (bottom).
The figure in red is the taxes that need to be paid and in the bottom part it is simultaneously for two; which is a LOT less than for one.
So they no longer let us have a fiscal partner, meaning we both pay the HIGH WAY...
We hope that the March 15, 2017 elections will change that, mainly for the benefit of the Elderly and that they again learn how to take care of their own country!
Political Decisions like that, have hurt law abiding and deserving citizens.
The EU Elites and Establishment in Brussels never feel that pain...
Congrats to Pieter on winning the jackpot. That's certainly a great early Christmas present. It's shameful how everything in this world is about money. Even war is big business which is why there will never be peace. I'm sure your holiday performance was a big hit. Best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteHello Mariette and Pieter, Congratulations on winning the grand prize--one sometimes wonders whether those are really handed out. But too bad about the pension situation. They had to realize when they made the change how many ordinary people who were just surviving on that money would be hit by the new law.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Congratulations to you both - what a happy seasonal gift to have won.
ReplyDeleteSorry to learn that you are both suffering with your Dutch taxation - it does not seem right not to take you both into consideration for tax purposes - let's hope that in the 2017 elections your pensions will change for the better.
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteeinen frohen vierten Adventssonntag wünscht dir
Elisabeth
Hello dear friends!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on such great win, just in time for the Christmas Holiday too.
Oh my goodness, so sad to hear about the pension situation dear Mariette. Governments are simply out to suck regular people's money no matter hoe and no matter who they hurt. Here as well, we are hopeful for 2017's elections and I so very much wish for you too. I'm always praying and will for your country too.
Merry Christmas, wonderful couple.
FABBY
Lieve Mariette ,
ReplyDeletevan harte gefeliciteerd met de prijs ..dat is altijd mooi meegenomen
veel plezier ervan ....ik wens jullie een fijne week toe en heel veel liefs
Congratulations, dear Mariette, to your lucky husband Pieter!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly a big gift for Christmas|||
Sorry to read about the tax regulations for the Dutch expats. This is a shame!
I wish you a lovely week and a very Merry Christmas!!!
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your lucke Husband Pieter! What a lovely surprise!
Wishing you a wonderful Christmasweek, hopefully calm and peacefull!
Sending Love and Hugs and Blessings,
Claudia xo
Congratulations, Pieter! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteDear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Pieter and that would be a great welcome for Christmas.
Hope you are enjoying the week
Hugs
Carolyn
Wow, your husband Pieter won such a big prize! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI wish you both a wonderful Christmas holuday :-)
Congratulations happiness at the end of this year. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy 2017 years.
ReplyDeleteOlá,
ReplyDeleteParabéns pelo premio do marido.
Desejo um feliz natal e um novo ano cheio de alegrias.
Bjos e até 2017.
WesołychŚwiąt Bożego Narodzenia oraz oraz Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku.Marrieta dziękuję za odwiedziny na moim blogu.Serdecznie pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteD
das ist ja ein tolles WEIHNACHTSGESCHENK
ReplyDeleteich freue mich für EUCH,,,
wünsche noch einen schöne WEIHNACHTSFEIER,,,
und DANKE für die lieben WORTE bei mir
BUSSALE bis bald die BIRGIT aus TIROL
Hugs and congratulations to Pieter. Singing in praise of Christmas is also lifting your voice in prayer. Have a wonderful Christmas. Perhaps this will be the year we actually meet!!
ReplyDeleteCheers and big "bisous" ma chère amie,
M-T
Oh WOW!
ReplyDeleteMy special congratulations to husband Pieter, then! Well done!!
Thank you Mariette for your lengthy mail, sorry I didn't reply but I am not much at home these days.
I sincerely wish you and Pieter a merry Xmas and remember that what ever happens, you are together :)
Much love!
Dear Mariette and husband to Pieter. I said of yesterday I'm sorry ...I don't write again?
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoyed of 2017. I remember so much in my life.
Hugs!
Michiko
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedir, deinem Mann und euren Lieben wünsche ich ein wundervolles Weihnachtsfest und schöne Tage zusammen.
Danke auch für deine lieben Kommentare immer. ♥
Herzliche Weihnachtsgrüsse
Julia
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletewelch ein Glück - ein unerwartetes Weihnachtsgeschenk! So viel habe ich noch nie gewonnen. ;-)
Ich wünsche Dir und Deinem Mann noch frohe Weihnachten! Und auch schon mal einen guten Rutsch in das Neue Jahr! Für Frieden können wir nur beten, wie Du es auch schreibst. Doch auf der Welt war schon immer viel Unruhe. Nur im Moment sieht es besonders unruhig aus.
Hoffen wir also das Beste!
Alles Liebe
Sara
Good afternoon Mariette, I am thrilled for you both on your unexpected windfall, what a wonderful surprise.
ReplyDeleteHow sad though that you are being penalised by the Dutch government with regard to your hard earned pensions. It seems so unfair. I do hope that this is rectified with the upcoming elections.
Sending you warmest wishes for 2017.
As always,
Best Wishes
Daphne