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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 Commercial 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

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

{Our New Retainer Wall & Vinyl Picket Fence}

Our final mega project for 2013, did come along very well! Husband Pieter did finish placing the two new segments of vinyl fence panels on December 28. Photos have been taken yesterday. We already did have 6 Gothic Picket Vinyl Fence Panels in place. Pieter did dig them up and on the Internet I'd found and ordered 2 more of these 3-ft x 8-ft Vinly Fence Panels from Lowe's Home Improvement  
Bandido-boy, is proudly showing off his new Gatehouse Arborley Gothic Picket Vinyl Fence that he helped his Papi build.
On December 16, I did drive this cute little trailer back home from Lowe's, Vidalia, Georgia where we picked up the 2 panels that I'd ordered on line. Here Pieter made another trip with our Toyota RAV4; our loyal work horse for 16 years!
Just enough space for passing by the huge Southern Magnolia.
On December 18, another load of concrete blocks and concrete mix for building that retainer wall after the 65 Year Old Pine Tree had been cut down on the 17th. This is part of our water control, for keeping the rain water behind this retainer wall and not again running towards our home.
Bandido-boy helping his Papi, day after day. And our felines thought that the mulched tree trunk + the dug up soil was their new HUGE litter box...
You can see the spot of the mulched trunk to the right.
Precision work for leveling it out neatly...
Pouring concrete and on top of that come those concrete blocks...
Some back breaking job for removing the old green metal post that was deep into the concrete. Hacking it clean from concrete again and also finding a huge surprise in the ground.
You can now clearly see where the 65 Year Old Pine Tree once stood!
No, the huge surprise he found in the ground was nothing valuable but these Saw greenbrier, Catbrier, Bullbrier or Smilax bona-nox L. roots! 
It got tangled up into the huge oak tree, unseen with its mean thorns and very hard to kill.
That's where the 65 Year Old Pine Tree once stood...
All done! Retainer wall painted and the Vinyl Fence Panels all erected again! The old green metal post anew into the ground in the concrete for fastening the wire fencing.
Leaving an opening between the white vinyl post and the green metal post for Cat–Thresspassing.
That's where friend cats come to visit and our Tiggy–Tiger goes to see them...
Neat job or not?
And that for an eighty four year young man!
Guess that my Pieter does more physical work than many young men half his age...
Healthy living!
Our Tiggy–Tiger girl figured it out how to get to the other side again.
Notice that the first panel is NOT set on concrete blocks.
Husband Pieter didn't dare to dig there due to the wiring in the ground...
But do you see now how different the height levels are and why the water after tropical showers runs towards our home?
For the end of the year, I feel mighty proud of my dear husband Pieter's accomplishments.
Living frugal from one pension, with 3 adults, we also manage to be happy with our 6 felines.
Now, I'm off to scanning the FINAL100 slides and than I will have managed to make them all digital by the end of 2013 for archiving!
Have you also accomplished some major project this year?
Wishing you all a happy New Year's Eve and a Happy and Healthy 2014!
Thanks for reading here.

Related links:
{65 Year Old Pine Tree Cut Down} | previous post of Part I
Gatehouse Arborley 3-ft x 8-ft White Gothic Picket Vinyl Fence Panel | link from Lowe's

68 comments:

  1. no doubt, your pieter is amazing. he does great work and a lot of work. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Theresa,
      It is quite remarkable considering his quadruple bypass in September of 2010. We both are blessed so far and we hope we will have some real quality time left without back breaking work!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. Your dear hubby did a magnificent job ;-) and even better then a twenty year old...lol....* winks....

    Wishing you and your a ver happy and healhty New Year 2014..

    Hugs~
    Mari

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Mari,
      Thank you and wishing you and your loved ones also a very Happy and Healthy New Year 2014!
      Hugs and thanks for the long standing friendship.
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. he did a fantastic job! I am amazed at the precision and perfection of his work. Looks great

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Daniela,
      Like you, my husband too has a degree and his is in horticultural engineering and he also did design his own practical training college at that time, as well as two state of the art mushroom plants for Campbell Soup in the USA. But yes, he once more did a fantastic job and we both are glad this part has been taken care of now as water control.
      Hugs to you and hope your new additions will come along fine the coming year.
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. Dearest Mariette,
    oh, this is the new fence you told me. Looks grest!
    Love and hugs, and all the best for you and Pieter for the coming year!
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Claudia,
      Yes, this is the extension of the existing picket fence, only now a retainer wall is built under it.
      Happy New Year to you both as well.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. Congratulations to Peter. the fence looks great. Enjoy the New Year with Blessings of good health, happiness and Jay.
    Hugs
    Kay

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Kay,
      Thank you, Pieter needs a more relaxed 2014 after so many tough jobs. May the New Year 2014 be a blessed one for you and your loved ones as well; in good health with happiness and joy.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  6. That's a great job done by Pieter dear Mariette. Your fence looks so lovely ! Happy new year to you and Pieter. May this year bring loads of happiness your way :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Pallavi,
      It certainly is a great job done by my Pieter; glad this is done and now one more big job... That will become finished in 2014. Wishing you both a very Happy and Healthy 2014!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. Your fence and retaining wall is wonderful, Mariette! Your Dear Pieter deserves much praise for doing all of that hard work! Wishing you no more floods this coming year and never again! Happy New Year! Hugs xo Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Karen,
      Guess both of us have a worker bee for a husband. May God grant them many more years in good health for keeping up with the home. Life is never easy but the satisfaction you get from hard work is priceless. We certainly hope that was it as far as water problems. This will help in a big way and the next project will round it off so we will be safe for life.
      Happy New Year to you in good health for both of you and your dear ones!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Liebe Mariette,

    ich gratuliere.
    Alles Gute
    Elisabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Elisabeth,
      Danke, es war eine harte Arbeit aber wieder geschafft.
      Alles Gute auch zum Neuen Jahr 2014!
      Lieber Gruss,
      Mariette

      Delete
  9. Querida Mariette. Te deseo Paz, Salud, Felicidad y Amor en este 2014, que ya mismo comienza. Un fuerte abrazo.

    http://www.jacquielawson.com/preview.asp?cont=1&hdn=0&pv=3291504&path=83554

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Querida Enma,
      Tambièn te deseo un año 2014 lleno de paz, felicidad y buena salud!
      Con cariño y besos,
      Mariette

      Delete
  10. Cara Mariette,bellissima la vostra staccionata,avete fatto un ottimo lavoro!!
    Auguro a te e a tuo marito un Felice e Sereno Anno Nuovo!!
    Buon 2014 carissima amica!!
    Un abbraccio grande grande!!
    Sabry!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cara Sabry,
      Grazie e davvero Pieter ha fatto un ottimo lavoro.
      Augurandovi un sereno e tranquillo Capodanno con un felice anno nuovo in buona salute soprattutto. Buon anno 2014!
      Sei una carissima amica e leale e per questo ti meriti un grande abbraccio.
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. Lieve Mariette,

    Prachtig hekwerk wat helemaal in de sfeer van de omgeving past.
    En het is oh zo waar dat je op leeftijd fit en vitaal blijft door in beweging te blijven zodat de zaak niet vast roest. Maar wat Pieter allemaal al presteerde is toch wel héél bijzonder te noemen.

    Lieve Mariette bedankt voor een mooi blogjaar en altijd lieve reacties en ook ik wens jullie een prettige jaarwisseling en gelukkig en gezond 2014!!!

    Liefs,Ger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lieve Ger,
      Ja, in beweging blijven is zeker een feit maar je moet ook maar gezegend zijn met goede genen. Laten we hopen dat mijn Pieter dat nog láng mag blijven en dat hij honderd jaar mag worden en we nog veel samen kunnen genieten.
      Het was altijd een plezier om bij jou te lezen; ook weer zo'n top tijdschrift maar dan wel een met heel bijzonder, persoonlijk contact. Je neemt de lezer mee naar je lievelingsoorden of laat ze meegenieten van al het lekkers wat je bereid. Heel gastvrij altijd!
      Geniet van een mooie jaarwisseling in huiselijke kring en ik wens jullie beiden een heel fijn en gezond 2014 met hopelijk weer goed zicht!!!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. Je echtgenoot heeft het geweldig gedaan, wat fijn om zo'n handige man te hebben. Mijne kan het allemaal precies uitdenken, maar uitvoeren.... helaas staan zijn handen verkeerd daarvoor. Resultaat scheefhangende kastdeurtjes etc.. Maar hij heeft weer andere kwaliteiten! Grappig dat je poes zo goed meehelpt met kijken. Een fijne avond en een gelukkig nieuwjaar gewenst.
    Liefs, Marianne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Marianne,
      Ja, ieder vogeltje zingt zoals het gebekt is. Pieter kon al hetgeen waarvoor hij afgestudeerd is niet alleen goed uitleggen aan zijn leerlingen maar ook inderdaad zèlf met eigen handen dóen. Een grote gave en een zegen om dit nu nog steeds zo te kunnen doen.
      Ja, onze poezen helpen constant mee; anders zou het ook nooit op tijd klaar komen of mislukken. Ze zijn zo ijverig en bovenal ook nieuwsgierig wat je in hún tuin gaat doen en/of veranderen.
      Geniet van een gezellige jaarwisseling en jullie beiden een heel gelukkig 2014 toegewenst in goede gezondheid met weer véél prachtige foto's om anderen te kunnen laten meegenieten.
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  13. Dearest Mariette
    It will be nice with the new fence - lucky kitty helped so it was really solidly done ;)
    I want to wish you a very Happy New Year 2014
    Kajsa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Kajsa,
      Thank you and indeed, without kitty's help it would NEVER have turned out the way it did. They are so eager to supervise.
      Wishing you both also a very Happy and Healthy 2014!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  14. Replies
    1. Cara Rosetta,
      Anche voi due un sereno 2014 con tanti auguri di buona salute!
      Baci,
      Mariette

      Delete
  15. Liebe Mariette, gut gemacht, euer letztes Projekt für 2013 - die Katzen sind damit offensichtlich auch einverstanden :o) Ich möchte dir danken für all deine lieben und klugen Kommentare in diesem Jahr und für dein Interesse an meinen Reiseberichten und freue mich schon auf das nächste Blog-Jahr mit dir! :o)
    Einen guten Rutsch in ein tolles Neues Jahr für dich und deine 2- und 4-beiningen Lieben !
    Viel Glück und Gesundheit!!
    .•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨)
    (¸.•´ (¸.•` * ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

    ........|___|.....
    ........|000|.....
    ........|000|.....
    .........\00/.....
    ..........\0/.....
    ...........||.....
    ...........||.....
    ........._||_.....


    .¸.•*¨)¸.•*¨)
    (¸.•´..¸.•´¸.•*´) ¸.•*¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´)
    (¸.•´ (¸.` * ¸.•´¸.•*´¨)

    Ganz herzliche Rostrosengrüße, Traude

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Traude,
      Danke für dass anreichen vom Sektglass!
      Es ist sehr interessant um bei dir zu lesen und besonders wenn man selber in einem Land oder Gegend gewesen ist.
      Ja und ob die Katzen einverstanden sind; es ist immerhin ihr Garten!
      Noch ein sehr schweres Projekt für anfang 2014, es hat schon begonnen in den letzten Tagen von 2013 und dann hoffen wir auch wieder frei zu sein um geniessen zu könen zusammen.
      Danke auch für deine netten Kommentaren das Jahr durch und wir lesen uns wieder im neuen Jahr.
      Geniesst ein schöner Silvester und auch ein glückliches und vor allem gesundes Neues Jahr 2014 für dir und die dir lieb sind.
      Lieber Gruss,
      Mariette

      Delete
  16. Nowe ogrodzenie sporo kosztowało pracy. Podoba mi się, a szczególnie, że jest białe.
    Życzę wspaniałego 2014 roku !
    The new fence costing a lot of work. I like it, especially that it is white.
    I wish you a wonderful 2014!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Giga,
      We love the white picket fence too and indeed, it was very labor intensive but that way we can afford it and it is functioning as water control.
      Wishing you a happy and healthy 2014!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  17. Dearest Mariette,
    Pieter not only fixed a miserable problem but made something that adds more charm to your lovely home.
    A joyful 2014 to you both..........xox....*s*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      Thank you, we feel secure now concerning the water problems and it was certainly worth all the hard work.
      Wishing you and your loved ones also a very Happy and Healthy 2014! You are living it already...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  18. Dear Mariette,your new white fance looks great!!Pietre did a very nice work!!He's so talented!!
    Wishing to you and your family,a Happy New Year 2014,full of joy and happiness!!Enjoy your holidays!Hugs!!
    Dimi...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Dimi,
      Thank you and yes my Pieter is talented and very active.
      Also you and your family, near and far, we wish all a Happy New Year in great health!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  19. Hello Mariette, Picket fences like yours are exceedingly charming, and supply an eye-catching feature to replace the tree that was taken away.

    Happy New Year once more,
    Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      Thank you and indeed, after the back breaking job it showed a charming result! Better than the tree that was there and the Japanese Magnolia will more than make up for its loss as it can freely grow out now.
      Happy New Year to you and yours.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  20. Pieter does good work always nice to have a man who can do things and is handy around the house. Hope 2014 is a wonderful year for you and yours

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      Yes, it certainly is a blessing for having a worker bee husband that can do it all himself. A great way for stretching the budget too!
      My 2014 also for you and yours be a great year in good health.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  21. Dearest Mariette;
    OMG; what a BIG JOB and wonderfully DONE by your husband and you!!! The Vinyl Fence Panels is neatly placed, aren't they☆☆☆ LOVED to see the last picture with great job done, my friend. It must be the Great Feeling you two could finish the big job in time before the year-end. Well, happy to read your loyal work horse "Toyota RAV4" helpd you♫♫♫ I DO hope you two are having a bit of relaxing new year after the big job.

    Having a bit quiet new year with my husband in the morning seeing TV without any guest p;) Wishing a Happy and Prosperous New Year from Japan to my dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Miyako,
      That was once again a BIG job indeed but so glad it turned out the way it did. Yep, it felt like mission accomplished withing the year of 2013. Maybe we never ever will see such heavy rains but we are now prepared for it.
      That Toyota RAV4 is a miracle car and still happily running smooth; always upbeat and never in a bad mood.
      Today is a relaxed day but there are two more big back breaking projects to be dealt with.
      Enjoy your peaceful beginning of the year, indeed quiet time after so many emotional things. Wishing you all the best for 2014 to both of you!
      Hugs from your American friend.
      Mariette

      Delete
  22. Dearest Mariette,
    Wishing you and yours a Happy & Blessed New Year! Your dear Pieter is doing a mighty job! ;)
    Hugs,
    ~Wendy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Wendy,
      Thank you for your kind words and you all also a Happy and Blessed 2014!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  23. Hi Mariette,

    The fence looks very nice, you and your husband did a great job on it.
    Happy New Year 2014 to you! Hope it will be a fantastic one!
    Hugs,
    Eva

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Eva,
      We both are very pleased with the fence on top of the retainer wall.
      Wishing you and yours the best for 2014; happiness and good health.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  24. Mariette ik wens jullie een liefevol en gezond 2014 toe!

    Groeten Janny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Janny,
      Ook jullie allen een heel fijn en gezond 2014 in goeie harmonie en geniet van Lyla Rose!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  25. Dearest Mariette,
    I reading all of some major project of your husband Pilter has fantastic job he work a good existing pichet fence only now a retainer wall is built under it.
    Pietter with you have a geat job doing very hard works keeping up with the home, also a big problems with the water...
    After I can reading about Bandido boy helping his papi day after day....Let hope I will has more time...
    I thinking about you and your husband have a nice time of relaxing of new year day DEAR Mariette!
    Wishing to you and your family A Hapy New Year 2014.
    We having a rainning days again..This years a not having again for my golfing??
    Michiko

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Michiko,
      Thanks for your kind words and oh my, I had to laugh at your sentence that this year again not good weather for golfing. The good thing is there will be 364 more days coming your way in 2014 and I wish some sunny and great golfing days will be in your package together with good health!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  26. Metti la mano sinistra sulla spalla destra e la mano destra sulla spalla sinistra.
    Hai appena ricevuto un abbraccio a distanza. Buon 2014.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caro Giancarlo,
      Amo il tuo abbraccio virtuale e ti invio i migliori auguri per il 2014 indietro!
      Mariette

      Delete
  27. Liebe Mariette,
    es ist so toll, wie fit dein Pieter ist und was er für einen wundervollen neuen Zaun gemacht hat -
    sehr sorgfältig und so schön - ich bin total begeistert - na ja, er hatte ja große Hilfe von der schwarzen Samtpfote - lächel -

    alles Gute für euch -

    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Ruth,
      Danke und wir sind gesegnet dass mein Pieter wieder so fit ist nach seinem grossen Herzoperation für 4fach bypass-September 2010. Du hast ja völlig Recht wegen die grosse Hilfe von unserem Bandido-boy! Sie sind aber sehr lieb und helfen auf ihre Art.
      Alles gute und liebe für euch und ein glückliches und gesundes 2014!
      Mariette

      Delete
  28. Liebe Mariette, ess gab so viel Neues bei dir. Aber du hast Recht: Du kannst stolz auf deinen Pieter sein. In dem Alter diese Arbeiten zu bewältigen, ist wirklich eine große Leistung. Viele jüngere Männer dürfen sich eine Scheibe abschneiden.
    Und es sieht alles so sauber und korrekt aus- Wunderschön. Sag ihm ein liebes Kompliment von mir.
    Ein gutes Jahr 2014 wünscht dir und deinem Mann
    von Herzen
    Irmi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Irmi,
      Danke für deine lieben Zeilen hier. Ja mein Pieter liest selber hier, jedem Morgen nachdem er die Katzen gefüttert hat, mit eine Tasche Kaffee dabei.
      Wir tun und teilen fast alles zusammen.
      Auch dir ein gutes Jahr 2014 in guter Gesundheit.
      Lieber Gruss,
      Mariette

      Delete
  29. Happy new 2014 and this will be a really good year.

    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Elna,
      Thank you dear Elna, we hope for all of us this will be a good year!
      Wishing you and yours good health and happiness; also for your four-legged ones.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  30. Happy New Year Mariette! Thank you for all your lovely comments and loveliness. Wish all your dreams and plans come true.Best wishes from me, Olympia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Olympia,
      Thank you and I want to return the favor as it is a pleasure reading your writings and looking at your great photos. May 2014 be a peaceful one in good health for all of us.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  31. Wow I love the finished job! Looks so beautiful, and also practical for water control!
    Your husband is really amazing. He looks so much younger than his actual age. And one of the reasons must be because he does these physical works! Bandido-boy did great job helping, too! Our Goro is like him, when his dad is working on something :-)
    Happy new year, Mariette! Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy 2014!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tamago,
      Sure, staying active is one of the keys to prolonged good health and eating well etc. It is more than that, the balance between a happy life and marriage weighs in very heavy!
      Oh those cat-men are eager helpers and I guess that's what they really do in their way. They love their human.
      For you, your husband and two boys a very happy and healthy 2014!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  32. Y'all have done a beautiful job sprucing up the place, Mariette - looks fabulous, no matter what Pieter's age! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Stacy,
      Thank you for your kind words and far more than sprucing up our place it is for water control so we never ever have to live through such 4 days & nights of mopping up water and running our 2 wet vacs... You better than anyone else understands what water can do!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  33. Dearest Mariette,
    Great job! The picket fence looks fabulous, and it's great that your Bandido boy is enjoying too! I bet you are mighty proud of your young-at-heart husband! Enjoy your beautiful home, your beautiful family (including felines, of course), and have a wonderful New Year, filled with life's joys, health, love and peace! Looking forward to following your beautiful blog throughout the year! :)
    Big hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Anna,
      Thanks sweet friend and yes I am mighty proud of such a young-at-heart husband. He keeps me going too and life is always exciting as both of us are not sitting behind the geraniums 'yet'...
      For you and your loved ones, two- and four-legged also the very best wishes for 2014 and I look forward to my interesting Italian Alps escapes when reading yours!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  34. Dearest Mariette, Pieter is most amazing. You and he have earned the right to be proud. Indeed, he can work rings around Bob who is nine years younger. I am sure that physical exercise is what keeps Pieter going so strongly.
    May God grant to both of you a Healthy and Happy New Year,
    Love to you and Pieter,
    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Ginger,
      Thank you for your compliments. Pieter can do it even if it wears him out a lot sooner. Only short days of hard work and he is taking his nap in-between. We drink a late afternoon tea around five and the cats get fed and that's when Pieter calls it a day. But steady work does yield results, even for short working hours.
      The very same for you both I pray that God will grant you continued good health for many more years together.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete

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