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

Vancouver British Columbia, Canada in 1996 and back again in 2018 | previous post by me with Mama Thelma

Some thoughts about training and farm management on a mushroom farm by Pieter J.C. Vedder | Pieter's lecture at the 12th NAMC Conference

{Foster Daughter Anita on the Other Side of the World} | previous post by me

Our LONG Connection with Hyatt Hotels

It was exactly on April 12, 2023 that Pieter's account with WORLD OF HYATT got closed.

Already during the time Pieter worked for Campbell Soup, he frequently stayed at their Hyatt Regency at Cherry Hill, New Jersey—close to the Campbell Soup Headquarters.

That now is a Hilton.

Even our canine Mauzie spent the night there with us on October 23, 1983 as Pieter had to make a presentation for the President of Campbell Soup—while we were in San Francisco he had to write this...

See: From Santa Cruz to San Francisco for the Weekend ←click link.

So that means Pieter was in his 40th year of membership.

But now I got my own WORLD OF HYATT

~

In March of 2008, Pieter received a very unique email message

For Pieter's 50 unique Hyatt hotel stays—he received a gift of 10,000 bonus points!

That was for stays between January 1995 and March 2008...

Pieter's Hyatt Map with Hawaii, USA, Curaçao in the Caribbean and to the right Singapore

Showing the different locations from left to right:

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport; Hyatt Place Scottsdale/Old Town in Arizona; Grand Hyatt Atlanta, Georgia; Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, Florida; Grand Hyatt Washington, DC

More cities from left to right:

Hyatt Place Scottsdale/Old Town in Arizona; Hyatt Place Atlanta/Cobb Galleria in Smyrna, Georgia; Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort an Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida where we took our Foster–Daughter after her graduation from the University in Surabaya, Indonesia; Grand Hyatt Washington DC where we also took our Foster–Daughter; Hyatt House Philadelphia in Pennsylvania

Some favorite ones in the South East:

Hyatt Regency Savannah, Georgia; Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa Bonita Springs in Florida

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa in Honolulu, Tempe in Arizona, Norcross in Georgia

Again Waikiki, Hawaii and Grand Hyatt Tampa in Florida

Hyatt Place Tempe/Phoenix Airport in Arizona and Hyatt Regency, Savannah in Georgia and Hyatt Place Orlando/Universal in Florida

Our favorite Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six where we watched Princess Diana's funeral... Princess Diana's Funeral and Our Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Adventure ←click it.

Hyatt Regency Miami

Fun games for points...

Addictive those games for points!

We ALWAYS enjoyed all of our Hyatt stays!

We did start using Pieter's remaining points by the end of 2022 for free nights: Our Stay at Hyatt Place Downtown Knoxville and Meeting Blogger Friend ←click link. Also on 2nd Christmas Day when we used more points for free nights: Our Stay at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Florida ←click link. 

Pieter also did earn a $ 100 Hyatt Gift Card* which we used towards the end for paying for our meals in Orlando...

Followed by this free stay: Our Stay at Hyatt Regency Sarasota Florida ←click link.

For our Trip to the WEST last year July, we also stayed mainly at Hyatt hotels.

Now I am looking forward to using my personal WORLD OF HYATT card for the first stay at a Hyatt hotel — hoping that will be soon enough in the coming months.

Our Stay at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Florida

On December 26, I drove with my Pieter South on Interstate 75, towards Orlando, Florida...

Feeling good for having managed to get in the car after having been so sick for almost one week.

Even had to vomit after drinking more than 3 sips of water.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort ←click link.

The traffic was horrible—standing still and the final stretch took us 2 hours more and arriving in the dark.

From the car I had to call and change our dinner reservation at the Four Flamingos Restaurant.

Not so good for arriving in the dark and driving full 8 hours instead of the calculated 6 but we were there!

Checking in and leaving our luggage still in the car, we went to the restaurant.

We opted for one Florida Seafood "Moqueca" with 

Jerk Spiced Cauliflower and it came with Coconut Steamed Rice

For me it is difficult to find some low potassium, low protein, low phosphorus food...

The small potato halves, inside the "Moqueca" I left for Pieter to eat.

But it was delicious!

Now we had our valet guy bring the car so we could unload and go to our room 1804 at the top floor. But this time we had no pool view like in 2003 on exact the same day—December 26 when we were there for 2 nights!

We were back again with Daughter Anita and her then fiancée on December 18, 19 and 20 of 2004 while visiting Kennedy Space Center, Epcot and Seaworld with them.

From there we went to Coconut Point, another Hyatt Resort in Bonita Springs, Florida towards Naples, FL.

And both of us once again for two free nights on April 26 and 27 in 2005.

It sure felt great for having this confirmation from October 20, 2022—otherwise no chance to find a room during the Christmas season.

We used Pieter's Hyatt points for free nights this time.

Our room with King Bed had a sunny balcony and view toward Orlando...

On December 24 it was very cold in Dublin, Georgia –10°C or 14°F and still several days of frost coming.

Here it was cool as well but we went to the pool on December 27, and it was a lovely heated pool!

What we both LOVED about this Hyatt Resort that you really are on vacation—no rush!

Other Hyatt Place and such, at times have breakfast till maximum 9:00 AM.

Here it is from 7:00–11:30 AM so we could make it leisurely into a kind of brunch.

Breakfast was at the Lakehouse Restaurant each morning and this is the view through one of its windows.

This I took from another window and it actually shows the huge lake.

You can canoe, sailboat, hydrobike and cayak.

From our brunch we walked to the area where they keep the bikes so we knew what they got and after Pieter took his nap, we would go biking. 

Look at that blue sky and Pieter is seen in his Royal Stewart tartan plaid shirt.

Just snapped this photo of the Hotel, from the Lake side—where the bikes were...

Water fowl standing right next to you...

And yes, that hydrobike would have been a fun activity as well!

We walked past the pool on this sunny day—where we swam the afternoon before...

When I'd gotten out of the water I noticed that my 22 karat gold toe ring was gone—after having worn it for 30 years!

I peered at the bottom and said to Pieter, one never finds that back!

Then Pieter spotted two Hyatt employees, and he talked to the gentlemen.

They said, well for that we got our vacuum cleaner and we will find it!

I'd swam into that cave the afternoon before (even though it was a lot colder in there!) and as we walked past this enormous lagoon–style pool around 11:40 AM we went back to our room.

Walking on our 18th floor and center right you can see one of the elevators going up.

The Christmas tree dwarfed...

A very interesting center part with metal pipes and glass roof top.

The Christmas tree with lots of Poinsettias...

Than at 12:26 Pieter took this photo of me—holding my 22 karat gold toe ring in my hand!

It just got delivered by two men that had indeed vacuumed it up in less than an hour since Pieter talked to them—WOW! 

What great courtesy in true Hyatt style!

Close to 2:00 PM from our balcony showing you our view.

And a photo from the balcony, showing you the lake...

We soon would be biking there, within the boundary of the Grand Cypress 535...

Pieter on his bike and the contrasts are far too strong with that sunshine and shade.

I just walked out of the shade for taking a picture of the Hyatt Regency from here.

Palm trees and lots of live oaks.

Pieter captured me and his own shade...

Hard to avoid in such weather!

My Campbell Soup cap shielded me from the sunshine.

Here we biked at the entrance side of the Hyatt Regency at the front of this huge 779 room hotel.

Beautiful grounds—so well kept!

See our Relive video: BIKING HYATT RECENCY GRAND CYPRESS RESORT

Our 3rd and final dinner had come...

Time in Paradise passes fast!

We again went to the Four Flamingoes Restaurant.

This time we both shared a Surf & Turf

Half Lobster but we did have some very special high quality Filet without the Bacon with the Coconut Au Poivre and we went again for the Coconut Steamed Rice.

Walking past this fire pit on our way back from the Four Flamingos Restaurant, to the lobby...

A closeup view of the Christmas tree and the poinsettias.

And our final brunch...

My waffle with maple syrup and fresh berries and Pieter went for the continental (cold) buffet each morning.

We had received a one hour extension till noon and now we had to check out and also were able to cash in our anniversary Hyatt eGift Card of $ 100.

EVERYTHING here during this stay was just GRAND.

Now, I drove off to the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota...

Stay tuned.

Wearing Mom's Wedding Dress to Church

 One of the treasures I did bring home from Limburg was Mom's wedding dress!

October 15, I wore it to Mass after I had it dry cleaned at Presstine Cleaners in Atlanta.

The dress was made out of a nice rayon georgette and I wear my black patent Escada sandals.

The dress originally came with train.

Mom's bridal bouquet looks like she was holding white stock or Matthiola Incana—also very fragrant!

In Dutch white stock is witte violieren...

Dad with a hat in his hand and gloves...

The day of the beginning of a Blissful Relationship—blessed by Dad's maternal Uncle—Heeroom.

Mom and Dad more up close.

Mom sure had lovely hair here and wearing her golden cross on a short necklace.

Those were the days of hats and Mom has worn many hats, especially when going to Church.

Her dress with train got later altered to a shorter version.

Can't recall if she wore it to certain events...

Dad had no camera of his own in the early years!

Photo taken after Mass by a friend.

Pieter wearing his silk Burberry suit that I also did bring back from Limburg...

The side seams of the top were let out by my sister, some 3 inches (7.5 cm). The dress is too wide for me now. 

At home one more WeFie in bright daylight...

Pieter wearing his Escada silk elephant tie.

This photo is from March 8, 1968 when I wore the dress with boots in Horst, Limburg...

Funny, I was 17, and above I am 71... just reversed numbers.

But I'm the only of 3 daughters that still can wear Mom's small sized dress!

Guess Mom was smiling down from heaven to see her wedding dress go to Church once more...

The History of the Bridal Gown

Not in white

It used to be unthinkable to buy a dress for one day. That only happened at court. 

Well into the twentieth century many brides married in black.

Even Pieter's late wife Thea did...

In front of the Church—also with hat and gloves in hand...

Don't understand where she left her gorgeous bridal bouquet.

Pieter with the bridal bouquet, full of orchids...

In 1983, when it was the rage to wear such black jackets—Pieter's 19 year old adopted daughter Liz, begged for the jacket of his wedding suit and Pieter gave in...

A handsome groom that stayed with Thea for 27 years—living like brother and sister...

BUT thanks to that, he wrote the mushroom bible and helped thousands to make a better living!

Everything has a reason in life and we both are grateful that God made us meet 53 years ago and we are happily married for a long time.

Related link:

{The Little Black Dress & My MOM} | previous post by me with Mom in her bridal gown

Both of us LOVE Elephants | previous post by me with Pieter's Escada elephant tie

FAMILY Treasures from Chef of Smulhuis in Brunssum/The Netherlands | previous post with Pieter's Mom also wearing a black bridal gown

Dad Sang Solo on Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary | previous post with Mom & Dad on their wedding day photos with Heeroom