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Thursday, February 23, 2023

GONE With the Wind—So Did Pieter's Wedding Band

 On September 26, after having managed to get Pieter's wedding band with diamonds and other diamond ring off—by using a trick with dental floss, Pieter brought his rings to a local jewelry repair man.

For Pieter's open heart surgery on September 3, 2010 they tried to cut it off—damaging the ring.
But it was impossible due to swelling of his fingers because of arthritis.
So now we tried and I did not manage but Pieter did lie down and tried it himself—holding his hand up and he managed it—however painful!


This is my hand on January 26, wearing my diamond ring + wedding band and Pieter's ring...
But his got messed up awfully by our local jewelry repair man!

His wife had written down the wrong size and thus it would not fit Pieter—not even on his little finger, as that was his choice due to less swelling there.
Then he called it was ready for pick up but once getting there he said, right after he'd called us, one of the diamonds had popped out...(?).
On January 26, we finally got to pick them up but to us that wedding band did not resemble the same as mine!
We had both of our rings blessed again by our Pastor (as we presumed this was NOT Pieter's original ring).


Clark Gable from GONE With the Wind seems to have been wearing his ring on the little finger...

BUT after our biking next Sunday, Pieter discovered that he lost his ring!

GONE With the Wind.... but we still maintain a double blessed and Blissful Relationship!

💗 💗

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52 comments:

  1. How is that repairman in business if he does such shoddy work? A shame that Pieter lost his wedding band after all that. My husband can no longer wear the matching band he bought when we got married but I also no longer wear any of my diamond bands or rings. Just don't feel comfortable with them on. Much prefer low key silver or costume jewelry. Sending healing wishes your way. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tammy,
      Good question indeed and for both of us—this was the last time!
      It is a shame but like both of you, one can live happily without wearing them. While biking I never wear any ring, watch or bracelet except for a fine two–toned hearts bracelet that I wore day and night. They removed it before all the x–rays so I left it all off right now. No interference with any metals.
      Hugs and thanks for your warm wishes!
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. God bless you both always, and be always with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Victor,
      That's exactly how we feel and to a good marriage there is more to it than a wedding band...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. Ze zeggen wat gezegend is komt altijd terug ,kan zelf na jaren.Bij Jeu zijn vader ook zat om een stuk prei. Gevonden door jullie buurman in nederland Piet Smits .Dus er is hoop.🍀💞

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Ellie,
      We weten het niet maar als het is dan is het heel fijn!
      Als de ring tijdens het fietsen eraf gegaan is dan is er weinig hoop over een afstand van 35 km... Het werd ineens kouder and Pieter krijgt snel koude handen dus met wat bewegingen kan hij afgegleden zijn.
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. Hello Mariette and Pieter, What a shame about the ring! But after all, it is just a symbol of your marriage, which as original and authentic as ever. Also it seems to have been butchered by that jeweler--it does look peculiar in that photo. You know it is a tradition in Chinese culture that if a jade ring or bracelet breaks, it is because it has absorbed bad luck and protected its owner. I assume that the same logic applies to lost rings. As long as you two are both fine, little else matters.
    --Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      This was an ongoing saga and we ended up paying him even for an awful job—just to get past this and move on!
      Worried about Pieter's age and time of use... but our marriage symbol will remain as nobody can ever temper with that.
      The Chinese culture might be right and at least Pieter is fine—I'm not—as on Tuesday afternoon I got T-boned by a car while on my bike (no rings on my fingers...😏) but time will heal me I hope.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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    2. I'm so sorry to hear you got hit! Take it easy and get well soon. All best wishes, Jim

      Delete
  5. Oh no! Really blown away. How did you get the ring off your finger? My husband and I have a problem getting rings off our fingers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Anne,
      Guess it fell off his pink when riding our bike and the temperature was dropping drastically from 21°C... We biked 35 km so where do you look? Try the dental floss thing as shown here: https://youtu.be/eJhynjCjgTk
      It didn't come off when Pieter tried but he managed himself with a lot of pain...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  6. What a terrible jewelry repair person. He made a "schmozle" of it, Mariette. Did you actually end up paying him for the so-called repair? I hope not! And in the end the ring was lost....Well, it's only a symbol, what truly counts is the bond you have, of course.

    P.S. I'm wishing you speedy healing after your scary bike accident! ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Kim,
      Yes, you are right that Randolph jeweler is NOT a quality repair person and the way he treated his elderly customers was below par.
      We ended up paying him as we did not want to add more stress (Pieter's very weak heart condition) to this 4–month saga and walk out.
      Indeed, it WAS a very nice symbol but not after he'd handled it and our bond is oaky for eternity!
      Thank you and after my first day of taking the Medrol Dosepak the swelling is a lot less and thus the overall hurt and I slept far better with the knee immobilizer off.
      Waiting for my MRI appointment to check out my rotator cuff... It will be months before I will be back to my usual self.
      Between March 3–7 my stationary bike will arrive as the orthopedic surgeon suggested to further remove the swellings from right knee and left leg.
      Cracked ribs there is nothing they can do about, painful but it depends what you do.
      Hugs and thanks for your love,
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. I would have had to leave it with them again and tell them to get it fixed. It looks like the diamonds have been squished in there with a little gold around it. There is no reason for that ring to look like that. Plus, I would take it somewhere else and have those diamonds checked to be sure they are real and they did not con you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Pam,
      Conned or not—but Pieter lost that ring and we didn't want to get into more stress about it so we took it and left. Knowing inside my heart that it was NOT Pieter's original ring... it never looked like that!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Dearest Mariette, I am very sorry to read about the whole story of the ring repair and then about Pieter's misfortune of loosing it! But most of all I feel about you and your accident!!! I hope you already feel better and that you will soon recover totally !!! Take care!!!!!
    Many hugs to you!!!!
    Marie-Anne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Marie-Anne,
      That ring was an endless drama and in the end nothing...
      This month had lots of surprises, bad ones and happy ones but then again the worst what could happen. But I'm still alive and no head injuries. My legs look awful but I have the photos from Sunday when they looked decent for my blogpost about: PRESSTINE Atlanta—Altering my Escada Body with Snaps
      They are valuable now!
      But with prayers for strength and patience I will get there—no doubt. Wednesday the MRI for my right shoulder and on March 22nd I will hear more at my next appointment.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  9. No es el valor económico, lo que se siente. Es el valor sentimental que tiene ese anillo, por lo que siempre se quiere conservar.
    Besos,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Querida Antónia,
      Sí, seguro que es el valor sentimental, pero ese supuesto joyero lo estropeó y ¿por qué necesitó cuatro meses? Finalmente volvió feo y todavía no tenía buen tamaño, de lo contrario Pieter no lo habría perdido ... Triste experiencia!
      Abrazos,
      Mariette

      Delete
  10. So very sorry to hear about the loss of Pieter's ring, Mariette, but no matter - you are both so blessed to have one another!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Martha Jane,
      Yes, we are blessed before God and that is far more important.
      But still a sad saga...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. Neither Tim or myself wear our wedding rings getting them on and off is difficult so we don't bother

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      Well there are several male that for safety reasons cannot wear them.
      Mine always have come off easily but when I bike I don't wear any!
      Pieter was not used for taking them off because before he never could get them off...
      Now he should have...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. Oh dear! What a story! I hope for the best!
    Love from Titti

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Titti,
      It is a sad story but not one with a happy ending...
      We biked 35 km so where do you search?!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  13. Aww, I'm sorry about the ring. I'd be heartbroken.

    I'm praying for you - for healing and wisdom for the doctors and anything else that I can't think of, I know God will handle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Debby,
      Thank you and yes, that ring has proven to be a drama—however happy we were that they finally came off. But it got damaged in a non–professional way and it took way too long...
      With God's help for giving me strength I will manage this as well.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  14. OMG Mariette - I was coming here to catch up and now see your comment on my blog, and here in your comment replies, little bits of what happened to you on Tuesday! So very, very sorry to hear of your accident and so thankful you are still with us and that your injuries are being dealt with. Are you going to write more in a post - I don't know what to share or what else to say other than I hope all goes well and you will recover quickly. Am I to take it that you are home and not hospitalized?
    Love and best wishes from both of us xoxoxoxox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Mary,
      Trusting that on Wednesday the MRI of my shoulder will give more insight—however having to wait till March 22nd for my next appointment with the orthopedic surgeon is tough.
      Meanwhile no doubt my ribs will heal and my legs...
      Yes, Ma'm I'm home because both leg fractures were not open ones!
      That was like music in my ears but still the pain remained and now the swelling has gone down with my Medrol Dosepak for 6 days. Today I took 5 and tomorrow 4 and down to 1.
      Thanks a lot for your well wishes, also Bob's.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  15. Such a shame about the ring.
    Praying that you will recover quickly.

    Hugs and blessings, dearest Mariette.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Veronica,
      Yes it is a shame and so sad all together.
      Thanks for your prayers and well wishes—need it badly.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  16. Thank you for leaving a comment for Precious and myself. I enjoy seeing your comments on KEA and Katie Isabella. Not sure how to navigate your site to read up on your kitties. I remember my mother having her wedding ring cut off as it had gotten too small and her fingers to large. Lynn and Precious

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Lynn,
      You are quite welcome.
      By scrolling down to Labels, you click on 'Our Felines'—that simple.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  17. Ohhh what a pity what happened to the ring. But what matters is your love. May God bless them always.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Christina,
      Pieter's ring got terribly mutilated by a non–professional, so–called jewelry repair person.
      After four months waiting to receive it like that, Pieter lost it while biking.
      Yes, may God continue to bless both of us!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  18. I lost my ring or at least the diamond out of the ring 4 years ago when I tripped in Alabama and broke my shoulder. I didn't want to break my teeth, so I turned sideways. We looked everywhere, but didn't find it. So sorry to hear you were hit by a car that is so crazy. I hope you are able to manage the pain and pray that they can get you fixed up much quicker than anticipated. Prayers for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Kelleyn,
      Well it is sad and tragic but material things can all be replaced!
      Went to lie down yesterday at 4:00 PM and still in bed due to pain.
      the swelling is gowing down...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  19. If I need some jewel repair I'll demand it be done on the spot. I'll not leave it there. If the answer is no, I'll go look for another jeweler.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Duta,
      Oh, in my birth country we sure did have that trustworthy luxury but not here in a rather rural area.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  20. Mariette,

    Je hebt elkaar gelukkig.
    Het is wel jammer van de ring.
    Maar die zegen van God blijft met of zonder ring.

    Alle goeds en lieve groetjes,
    Hilly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Hilly,
      God's zegen is zó hard nodig met al mijn pijn...
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  21. Hoe gaat het nu met je Mariette. Ik heb terug gelezen. Je weegt echt weinig ;-) Hoe lang ben je. Ik hoop echt dat er iets aan te doen is, net waar jij over schrijft: over dat eten. Sterkte met de MRI van je schouder. Ik zal vandaag voor je bidden. In iedergeval om minder pijn en massa's geduld.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Aritha,
      Ja, het gaat slecht, de pijn is amper te harden en constant.
      Ik weeg nu nóg minder—van de pijn nu nog 47.1 kg of 104 lb., dus 2.6 kg verloren in 8 dagen of 5.7 lb verloren dank zij constant pijn en daardoor amper rust.
      Ben 1.65 m. Ja, het heet wat om vandaag de auto in te komen omdat linker been zó gezwollen is en ik kan er niet op staan... en dan een uur ver naar de Ortho Georgia voor mijn orthopedic surgeon.
      Bedankt voor het bidden—heb het zo hard nodig!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  22. Lieve Mariette,

    Ik lees dat je veel pijn hebt, wat naar voor je.
    Ook ik zal beterschap voor jou vragen.

    Liefs,
    Hilly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Hilly,
      Ja, valt niet mee om met twee gebroken benen en gebarsten ribben te leven—zónder pijnstillers, gezien mijn ernstige nier ziekte. En daarbij wonden en blauwe plekken. Vandaag röntgenfoto's van borstkas laten maken op aanraden van huisarts. Moest naar hem toe n.a.v. de ultrasounds van gisteren om te checken voor trombose etc. Kreeg van hem ook medicijn tegen de vreselijke jeuk en uitslag als nare bijwerking om de zwellingen te verminderen...
      Bedankt voor alle lieve wensen!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  23. Hope you are mending well, dearest Mariette.

    Sending you lots of hugs, prayers and healing thoughts. 🙏

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Veronica,
      Guess I'm over the worst pain...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      PS found this now in the spam and I've not been on the Internet much...

      Delete
  24. Hello Mariette, I was so relieved to see your reply to Veronica--we hadn't heard from you in a while! Getting that kind of hit must be a terrible shake-up. Please take it easy and get well soon. --Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      Thank you for checking in here. The shake–up in itself is not the worst but the excruciating pain (without any painkillers...) and being totally immobile is the WORST! Uncle Bo Whaley once said, if I have to typify you—you're a chipmunk. Yes, hyper and active and than somebody shuts you off.
      Tonight I'm finally posting what I'd planned on posting on the 21st as it is about our departure from the USA on the 23 of February, 1989.
      Tomorrow I hope my Bed–Backrest for Sitting Up in Bed will arrive so I can work a lot easier on my MacBook.
      So many things to adjust and Pieter being very senior is not capable of taking over my usual tasks. But a sweet lady from our Church came today for 5 hours to help with laundry and some cleaning up.
      My usual cleaning lady comes on Tuesday, that since February 1st. So grateful that I have her—much needed now!
      Looking forward to a few weeks without any runs to the doctor. Yesterday it did wear me out, getting out of the house and into the car and using my walker entering the doctor's office, then the Imaging Center for chest x–rays as he worried about my shallow breathing (avoiding the deep/normal breath's pain!). Nothing broken, just superficially bruised he thought but there was no air trapped anywhere. So that is good!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...