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Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html
Showing posts with label Mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mom. Show all posts

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Mother's Day and Missing In Action

First off, a few words since my final posting shortly before 8:00 PM on my Pieter's 94th Birthday.
By 10:15 PM while brushing my teeth, I got the most excruciating pain in my left chest, mainly from the back area and also front.
Barely could breath.
Pieter got up and brought me to the local ER.
They did a Nuclear Stress Test on Monday around 11:00 AM and 24 hrs later got the results as being negative and no blockages.
Got discharged on Tuesday afternoon.

Called 911 at 6:00 AM on Thursday and by ambulance (same lady that took me to ER on February 21) to the local hospital.
Got a very active and alert doctor and after a CT Scan of the Spine area he ordered the Air Evac Lifeteam to transfer me to Savannah Memorial University Hosptial.

We got 3 x start problems warning — so off I came from this helicopter and another, bigger one got ordered in.
Enough time for having a CT Scan with contrast done to get more insight in the tear in my Aorta (in the back as it crosses from the chest into back and then down to legs to supply them with blood.
But it took me till Friday afternoon to press for the results of this final CT Scan—it did not transfer to Savannah.
But finally they had insight and the Vascular surgeon decided on Saturday afternoon to do a Stent Graft in my Aorta through my groin area both sides.
Surgery went well and I have been for 6 nights in ICU and then got sent to another room.
My Pieter came with a driver on Friday,  still being in lots of pain and in the unknown...
A 3–hour drive one–way. 
Rough on all of us and I felt constantly so exhausted.
Yesterday my Big Sis did come to pick me up!
Such LOVE is a good life elixer and makes you feel ready to fight.
My first quiet night home in a comfy bed was pure bliss.
Had to take my pain meds, strong ones... but they've helped me.
Typing this after breakfast on my lap—quite an accomplishment!
Sorry for no visiting nor commenting or replying....
Need to REST
Thanks for your LOVE and PRAYERS!


 Mama Thelma, the biological Mother of our adopted daughter Liz was a most pleasant lady.
Since we found her after Pieter's lecture at the 12th NAMC in Vancouver.
Just one of her special cards
From Vancouver
One of her special writings
2002 May 14

Hi Mariet Pieter & Spooky
I want to thank you for those two wonderful home video tapes of your beautiful home and the gardens. I watched it twice... Once by myself, and once with my kid sister (youngest) Ginny, we both enjoyed it, so much.
You have quite a spread.
I watch the before and after tapes! And you have done a fantastic job on your land.
It's just marvelous, beyond words, what else can I say...
Your house inside is gorgeous I might say, you do have a lot of precious, costly things...
Did you buy them at different places that you have worked at, and on holidays?
It's just spectacular the whole house.
It's always nice to have good friends like yours too...
It always helps when you're feeling down and out, (Don't you think so).
My son James and I are going to the Inland for the long holiday to visit my oldest sister Dorothy, maybe spend a couple of days with her. Get away from Vancouver for a while. Besides there is nothing really exciting going on around this old town.
Today, you won't believe it, the sun has come out to smile at us, but it's too cold to run around in shorts... usually every other day it rains and rains.
Well, my dears I really don't have any exciting news for you, except that my health has improved a little and that makes me happy, and now I'll have to close with all my regards and love, hugs and kisses to all including your beautiful Spooky.
May God bless you all.
With love,

Mama Thelma
Mama Thelma wrote the above, the day following Mother's Day.
Previous years I even got Mother's Day cards from her—meaning a lot to both of us!
She thanked us for taking care of her daughter and for giving her a Royal Academy education.
Yes, we both lived quite frugal in order to manage that, but feeling proud for having done so.
Loyalty has a deep meaning for both of us.
An entire box, filled with letters and cards from Mama Thelma, we passed on to Liz and therefore I no longer have them... only this one I had left.
Did not have a scanner yet, at the time we passed those letters on to Liz...

Related links:
{Our Daughter Liz} | previous post by me

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Dad's Unique Royal Dutch Singers' Association Certificate for 80 Years Singing

 Yes, exactly on the day of his death, Dad would have been a singer for 81 years!
Dad joined the Church Choir at the age of 17 and soon he became a member of the Horster Mannenkoor (Men's choir) as a First Tenor.
In 1988 Dad (left) got honored as one of the Golden Quintet members...
1998 Dad (right) got honored as one of a quartet for 60 years singing.
On his lapel, Dad now proudly displayed his Royal Dutch Singers' Association pin in honor of his 60 years as a singer.
In 2008, Dad got serenaded by the Horster Mannenkoor and received his Royal Dutch Singers' Association Certificate for 70 years singing.
Photo courtesy of one of my siblings in The Netherlands
In 2013, Dad obtained another Royal Dutch Singers' Association Certificate for 75 years being a singer...
Again they got serenaded by the other members of the Horster Mannenkoor (photo courtesy of one of my siblings in The Netherlands).
Mom is beaming and she received a bouquet of flowers.
Mom is wearing my Majorica pearls that we gifted her in December of 1983.
On Friday, June 29 of 2018, Dad received his Nationally UNIQUE Royal Dutch Singers' Association Certificate for 80 years being a singer...
This time without Mom, as she passed away on January 27, 2015
Dad beaming himself, when he got recognized and awarded the above Certificate and an engraved Pewter Plate.
This engraved pewter plate came home with me from my final trip to Limburg...
Very hard to capture it, so I took it outside.
PIET VAN DEN MUNCKHOF
80 JAAR LID (80 YEARS MEMBER)
HORSTER MANNENKOOR
JULI 2018 (JULY 2018)
~
COPPERSMITHING
P. VAN DER BEELE
HORST, LIMBURG/THE NETHERLANDS
ETAIN — TIN — ZINN — PEWTER (French — Dutch — German — English)
97% by KIS KIN 
Made in Belgium
Now it resides in our home in Georgia, with the 2nd born child of 8 and the ONLY one singing...
My Paternal Grandma sang first soprano, Dad first tenor, Mom first soprano for over 25 years with the elderly choir.
My Mother–in–law (my paternal Grandma's best friend) sang also in a choir as alto.

Fond memories...

Related links:
Limburg — The Emotional Part | previous post by me about my FINAL TRIP HOME 
From CitizenM Hotel on Delta Airlines from Amsterdam to Savannah, Georgia | previous post by me about Dad's performance ONE MONTH before his death...
Thank You Lord — Horster Mannenkoor | previous post by me about Dad singing
Soon Ah Will Be Done With The Troubles Of The World | previous post by me about Dad singing
Dad Sang Avé Maria from Bach-Gounod | previous post by me about Dad singing
Thinking about Mom and Dad on Saint Cecilia | previous post by me about Dad singing
Dad Sang Solo on Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary | previous post by me about Dad singing
{W.A. Mozart Composed this Heavenly Mass in C, K 167 at Age 17} | previous post by me about Dad happily anticipating Mass sung by Horster Mannenkoor
Auf der Heide blühn die letzten Rosen | Youtube video where Dad sings when he was half a year widower...
{My Daddy - Papa} | previous post by me and mention about Dad singing a solo at the Church of our friends here in Dublin...

Friday, March 3, 2023

Update After my Biking Accident and Our Exodus from Pennsylvania, USA to Start Our Life in Italy

On the day of my accident, I'd planned to launch this video from our departure back to Europe, on February 23, 1989

But on the 21st of February when I got T–boned by that woman, there was no chance for managing that...
Planned to bake my Amaretti cookies and had already zested 2 large Costco lemons, they're the best for zesting as well as for taste and juice.
I needed eggs, so Pieter said, I ride my bike to Walmart...
NO, I said WE ride our bike to Walmart, the sun is shining it was warm and I felt so happy for having caught up entirely with laundry and my housekeeper Nasha had just cleaned the house—perfect!
Feeling so grateful, for her starting on February 1st.
My life was getting more routine and relaxed with time for biking available.
But it didn't work that way...
I ended up in the ambulance after being thrown off my bike onto the highway—this happened all in front of Pieter's eyes!
My Roam Road Bike Helmet (from Amazon.com) bounced so nicely when I hit the asphalt—felt so grateful for always wearing it and in a soft neon green color for safety, just as my jacket.
Did not wear the magnetic goggles... only the adjustable visor...

Wearing my black biker shorts and Asos shoes.
X–rays showed two leg fractures, right knee cap and top of left Proxima fibula and cuts and bruises...
Landed on my right shoulder and right thigh where I got a huge hematoma.
Shoulder hurt like hell... Had an MRI done on Wednesday at Ortho Georgia in Macon and my Big Sis drove us.
Her lawyer husband graciously insisted she take his brand new Cadillac as it would be more convenient for me. Forever grateful for his gracious offer to give me this royal ride in the utmost comfort!
After my MRI and some check up due to my extremely swollen left leg, painfully red and almost ready to burst...
The NP at Ortho Georgia sent me to our local ER for having ultrasounds done, in order to rule out any deep vein thrombosis.
So they checked my left leg's vein and artery and no problem!
Our own car that we used yesterday, for a follow up with my primary care doctor after those ultrasounds, was rather hard to get into. 
Long legs and having to wear that stupid knee immobilizer does not allow you much flexibility.
Getting into our Infinity QX50 I sat sideways on the passenger seat, left leg in and right leg straight up to get it past the door, then down in the open pivoting area...
My primary care doctor noticed my rather shallow breathing and some sore spots that he found when touching my ribs. I told him that by breathing normal—it hurt like hell.
So, he sent us to the Imaging Center for having lots of x–rays taken of my chest to rule out any problems or risks for pneumonia.
I was on my walker and got so exhausted for being on my wounded legs for the entire session! 
Collapsed in bed with legs up by 5:30 PM but slept sound.
This morning my doctor called, no fractures and nowhere any trapped air!
So it must be just painful superficial bruises...
Oh, he prescribed me some over the counter meds for getting rid of that nasty, itchy rash I got as a side affect of the Medrol Dosepak to reduce the swelling in my body.
That are by now, 11 days in excruciating pain and otherwise. Due to my CKD stage with only 25% kidney function (at least that was December!) I cannot take painkillers.

On March 22nd I will hear the results from my MRI for the right shoulder, on which I landed...
Just have been praying for strength!
Got another sweet lady from our Church helping me out with ordening things and doing laundry.
ANGELS and I must accept this as I'm really floored—literally!

And now this video and our Exodus from Pennsylvania, USA to Italy
Don't forget to click on closed caption...
One of Pieter's Campbell colleagues was so gracious for taking us into his home for a couple of weeks while our furniture and cars were on the Ocean, headed for the Port of Genua, Italy.
See post below about: Dog Shit and POLICE
We also flew to Miami, using our Delta Airlines miles and visiting sweet friend Natacha. 
You can read about that adventure below from a previous post.
We also returned our rental car and flew via Chicago to San Diego on United Airlines frequent flyer miles. Visiting another sweet friend who is born in Vietnam.
Pieter was flying most of the time for Campbell and he then took the shuttle to the airport, no rental car needed.
On February 17, we had a farewell dinner from Campbell's with the staff.
On the 22nd we went together to the Italian Consulate.
On February 23, 1989 Aron took this photo as we were about to depart for the airport...
Pieter took this from our host couple with me...
~
And on the 23rd our Exodus from the USA.
Sadly the REASON that we HAD to move—or else—to be closer to the Division Office was a farce.
In all of four months, Pieter went 26 times to the Division Office either from our home in Shillington, Pennsylvania or from Wilmington Delaware—didn't make ANY sense.
But here comes the most INCREDIBLE PART:
Boscov's Business Travel arranged our tickets—round trip! As that is far cheaper than one–way.
With TWA from Philadelphia to New York City
But see MY INCREDIBLE ROUNDTRIP TICKET FROM NYC/KENNEDY TO BRUSSELS FOR $ 17.85
From New York City with Sabena Airlines to Brussels in Belgium which was only a good hour away from my Parents'
So there we left, checking in 5 pieces of luggage.
Mom & Dad would have their 40th Wedding Anniversary on the 25th and that was our reason—nobody knew we'd already shipped everything across the ocean for starting a job in Italy...
Little did we know that the containers would be stuck in the Port of Genua, Italy—due to strike!
Read that story here below—our life never has been boring...
Looking so forward for having this Bed–Backrest for use on the bed, delivered tomorrow...
It is HARD to work on my MacBook without!


Related links:
{Our EVERGLADES ADVENTURE with friend NATACHA} | previous post by me
Dog Shit and POLICE | previous about our cars being loaded into a container
Living out of our Suitcases - BUT we LIVED near Venice, Italy! | previous post by me

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Mom & Dad's Trio of Crucifix with Corpus and Plaques with Red Copper Relief Statues

 When I did fly solo to The Netherlands—one last time in June of 2022, it was for a very special reason.
Bringing home some treasures from their estate in Limburg...
Mom & Dad's Trio of Crucifix with Corpus and Plaques with red Copper Relief Statues on oak, now hangs above our bed...
Dad's Maternal Uncle — Heeroom blessed the marriage of Mom & Dad but also this special trio.
It hung above their bed till the very end—now it resides in our home in the USA.
My photo seen hanging to the right here below—also came home...
This photo I took on February 21, 2014 when we flew to The Netherlands for Mom's 90th Birthday and Mom & Dad's 65th Wedding Anniversary.
That was the LAST time I got to see Mom alive... see post below about Mom's Hand Knitted Bedspread as Window Display.

Related link:
Limburg — The Emotional Part | previous post by me

Monday, February 13, 2023

Happy Saint Valentine's Day!

This is a photo, taken on Friday, February 14, 2014 on Saint Valentine's Day when we were in The Netherlands and visiting Mom during her long hours of Dialysis. 
We did visit her 5 times during dialysis, one afternoon we missed — as we were visiting a 1st cousin—but that was when Dad was with her.
Mom has been a great role model all her life and I pray that I too will remain in such high spirits till the end of my CKD.
Oh, Mom so enjoyed our visits...

Happy Saint Valentine's Day to all of my readers! 

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

And Another Birthday with Pearls

 On Monday, January 9, I would make my rounds to Atlanta and to Marietta also for having my Rado watch's battery replaced.
BUT on Sunday evening when brushing my hair and removing the Chanel barrette I noticed that its spring got half broken away...
So, we made another stop at Neiman Marcus at their Chanel Boutique for having it repaired.
Will be so happy when it will be ready with a new spring.
It was right there at the store on the counter, that I noticed some earrings, longer model and with a pearl...
SO... Pieter bought those for me as an early Birthday gift—and I did NOT object 😉
They got nicely gift wrapped with the famous white Chanel Camélia...
Our white hyacinths from Trader Joe's were blooming nicely in our bay window area.
Lovely white Camélia and ribbon...
A card with embossed white camélia and gift box...
Inside the gift box...
Tada...! 
Nice Strass Crystals and the CC logo with pearls.
Photo taken outside in bright sunlight on Sunday, February 5.
Metal & Strass
Gold, Pink & Iridescent Crystals and Pearl
I'm very happy with those earrings as a gift from my Pieter—even though they're not of gold...
Chanel manages to make very elegant costume jewelry as well!
Wearing my Escada silk and cashmere twinset and when looking back, this is what I wore to Mom & Dad's 55th Wedding Anniversary 19 years ago...
Now you also can see my Escada jeans and our Japanese magnolias that are almost open.
Pieter's shade as the sun was really strong with a temperature of 19°C or 66°F.
Both of us are grateful that the –2°C or 28°F last week did not make them turn brown!
Usually these would bloom on Mom's Birthday—February 12, but now she's in heaven, they seem to bloom earlier on my Birthday. 
You can see the white vinyl picket fence in the background...
And the green tree on the left is the Southern Magnolia.
Here I wear the very same Escada twinset on February 15, 2004 when I am happy to see and greet my 2nd brother Piet at the restaurant where we all met for Mom & Dad's 55th Wedding Anniversary.
Wearing also the same Escada jeans...
Piet's kids and wife in the background.
Of course having phone calls on my Birthday and then late breakfast while observing our birds from our bay window.
Here the Eastern Phoebe on the bird bath.
Pieter just added meal worms inside the feeder for them and the Carolina wrens to snack on...
Temperature in the SUN!
40°C or 104°F...
We got this 6" Conant Custom Brass Thermometer from Monticello but now Amazon still has it.
You can see our vinyl picket fence in the back with the blooming magnolias.
Nothing more enjoyable than having breakfast in the sun!
We selected our lot for having our kitchen facing east—for that purpose.
Ending this post with some REAL white camellias that Pieter brought me for breakfast...
Using one of my creamware cachepot, as a vase for them.


Related links:
Those who feel Happy with the HAPPINESS of OTHERS | previous post by me showing creamware cachepot

Friday, February 3, 2023

Pieter ALWAYS Worked Hard and Did Things Himself

 Being an immigrant makes you START OVER LIFE...

Below video on YouTube you find clickable links with information...
Pieter standing proudly in front of his meticulously straight placed fence! 
Seen at clickable 12:26 in above video.
Great job!
Now looking the other way towards our driveway (left) and street.
Corner posts and intermediate posts every 25 m in the concrete.
Total length of 110 m and DAYS OF WORK... Yep, another mega task DONE!

This was also the very day (February 10 of 1984) that Pieter officially had become a member of the Rotary Club of Dublin, Georgia/U.S.A.
Pieter was already a member in The Netherlands since May 11, 1976 of the Rotary Club of Venray, The Netherlands district 1550, where he was President in the year 1978/1979.
That very same year, Pieter was also Honorary President of the Rotary Club Royal Forest of Dean, UK district 1100.
Our late friend Roy J. Chappell wrote this to Pieter on Valentine's Day:
Dear Pieter:
Welcome to my Rotary Club—both you and Mariet.
The worldwide reach of Rotary is manifested in your joining our club.
Whenever I may help you in Rotary—or any part of you and Mariet's life here in Laurens County—please call on my.

What a very kind gesture and he's been a tremendous friend over many years and he did tour Mom & Dad and us around through Laurens and surrounding Counties to show us the rural agricultural part of it.
Forever fond memories!
Such a NEAT fence and here you see the wood that had to get split for burning it in our wood burner in the living room.
Our 1st home's garden was of a perfect size, not too deep in the back. To the right you just can see our veranda.
The other end of the 110 meter long fence with our rock garden.
~
It was on March 9, 1984 that we also had our front porch tiled with the imported Dutch tiles and our garage got tiled with the leftover tiles from the Campbell mushroom farm that Pieter designed.
Just had scrubbed them with authentic Dutch Green Soap and mopped it dry with a real Dutch dweil...
Our tiled garage... also scrubbed clean!
We both loved our 'new' garage with tiles!
Do you have tiles in your garage or front porch?
In our present home we also do...

Related link:
Husband Pieter Doing it ALL | previous post by me showing the now tiled patio and wall added for privacy—done by Pieter of course
My 3rd Home with my French DMC Rose Filet Lace Crocheted Curtains | showing the new front door with windows and my crocheted curtains...
A HUGE Snapping Turtle | previous post by me

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