YOU'RE A SMART COOKIE - Hilarious true story about my successor in Italy

Here comes a hilarious true story about my successor in Italy as I tried to COMPLIMENT her!

Marina Dalle Valle had just finished University and she started her 1st job.

So, I had to train her...

YOU'RE A SMART COOKIE! ←click link

Yep, when our boss Dr. Gigi Bagnasco came to check with me, about her ability, she was left out of the conversation as she did not speak English.

Knowing how she felt, I translated to her what I just told Dr. Bagnasco in English, that she picked up rather quickly and she is a smart cookie.

So I turned towards Marina and said in Italian: Marina è un biscotto furbo!

We almost wet our pants from laughing... This was one of those moments where translation is impossible.

Neither can you say in Dutch: Je bent een slim koekje...

But she understood that I only wanted to compliment her in a gracious way, and Dr. Bagnasco was quite pleased with that knowledge; meaning they hired the right person.

Cookie comes from the Dutch word 'koekje,' which means 'little cake.' The first cookie-like 'cakes' were thought to have originated in 7th century Persia, one of the earliest countries where sugar was cultivated.

Smart Cookie

The Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms says that a smart cookie is 'someone who is clever and good at dealing with difficult situations.' The term 'cookie' may have referred to women as far back as the 1700s, and 'smart cookie' may have been a comment on women's intelligence.

The Cookie Idioms: Smart Cookie, Tough Cookie ←click link

Here Marina is next to me on the right during one of our visits back to Italy, on September 30, 1995.

Happy to see that she did so well!

Wearing my own sewing creation, skirt made from some raw silk. Paired with a silk sweater and a wool Yves Saint Laurent scarf.

She continued the Statistical Process Control that I'd introduced, as a tool for being able to pin-point 'where' in the process of e.g. producing compost, we were 'off'.

Also we used that, for more accurately being able to predict the yield of an incoming 1st break of mushrooms.

If any of the above ingredients were 'off', that already predicted less good quality mushrooms with less piece-weight and thus lower market value.

BUT, Marina my successor was a smart cookie!

Hoping she is still doing well. 

Related link:

{Yes; I was at an Yves Saint Laurent Prêt-À-Porter Show in Jakarta!} | previous post by me

UPS 2nd Day Air Delivery from Louisiana Nursery + Fight against Tuberous Roots of Greenbrier!

We  found very special trees and shrubs in Louisiana from Albert, Dalton, Ken and Belle Durio in Opelousas, Louisiana.

Louisiana Nursery 

We got the largest size available, five gallon pots, for getting a good start of an established shrub or tree.This is where our special Magnolia Namnetense came from and our beloved Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold.Again, I've built in clickable points with English information as we always talked to Mom & Dad to whom we mailed these videos in The Netherlands.

Their Catalog of MAGNOLIAS and OTHER GARDEN ARISTOCRATS, has been the most impressive and comprehensive one, we ever saw...

Love their quote: FOR THOSE WHO KNOW THE ECONOMY OF QUALITY

We sure treasure their special Magnolia (see post below) and their Golden Live Oak (see also below).

At the end of the video Pieter mentions the mean thorns on those Greenbrier, standing backwards. ←click link for seeing such a thorn.

Related links:{Digging up Huge Indian Hawthorn and More...} | previous post where Pieter also dug up tuberous roots of Smilax (Greenbrier){Our Fragrant Magnolia Grandiflora 'Namnetensis Flore Pleno'} | previous post by me{# 1111 - Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' changing color} | previous post by me

There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth ~ Leo Tolstoy

 

'There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, 

goodness and truth.' ~Leo Tolstoy

Our Hydrangea Serrata Pretty Maiden in a vase

Related link:

{5 Varieties of Hydrangea Are Blooming Now} | previous post by me

NO WAY!!!

Just have to vent this...

Sometimes it takes a good fall to know where you stand. A perfect quote!

On May 2, 2017, while at rehearsal on the risers in our local theatre with our Knight Owl choir, I fell off the 2nd to top riser... 

Husband Pieter who was in the theatre, did videotape my tumble down! It scared him tremendously.

Now to explain, we were on very narrow risers, not meant for doing the choreography we had to do!

There was absolutely no guard rail - nothing.

Some 20 years earlier, those got purchased for having little girls stand on them and sing.

These risers are 36" (91 cm) and have guard rails!

The ones we had to do our choreography on, were ONLY 24" (61 cm) and NO GUARD RAILS

Our choreographer Lisa, in a video, teaching us the steps... which we learned and I flipped off right away, since there was NO WAY to make her size of steps on such a limited space!

The front row singers had the floor... no problem.

There never was a linear line up. 

Taller singers were right in front of you, which made seeing Kelly very difficult.

When I fell down, Suella, a tall front row singer, blurted out: 'Let her get up on her own!' 

How nice... 

When I was trained, paid and responsible for any first aid incidents at the practical training college in The Netherlands, I dealt with all the legal issues, such as calling the police, ambulance and above all - calming the person down!

But I toughed it out and performed, even with my severely bruised wrist/thumb and foot.

Ending on crutches afterward... 

Not being able to do some much needed weeding in our garden and not even able for guiding tours on May 20, when we did have people come for a Garden Tour, a fund raiser for Carol, one of my Knight Owl Choir members, for her Garden Club.

In 2018, after another fall (at home) I ended up on crutches for 3 months, due to a double, but closed pelvic bone fracture.

BUT after having been granted a 'safer' status afterwards, on March 27 of 2019, I got again ordered to stand on the top riser.

NO WAY!!! Was my very firm reaction!

HISTOPATHOLOGIC FEATURES INDICATIVE OF PERSISTENT (MICRO) TRAUMA.

PAS REACTION AND GMS STAINS FAIL TO DEMONSTRATE FUNGAL ELEMENTS.

A FONTANA-MASSON STAIN FAILS TO DEMONSTRATE MELANINE PIGMENT SEE COMMENT

Kelly, on May 2nd 2017, I tumbled down the top riser and though nothing broken, I still suffer from persistent (micro) trauma. It will take another year I got told by Dr. Tammy Gephart in Marietta on Wednesday last week, before it is all gone! Cannot polish my nails, nothing... And last year on March 27, when I had those killer cramps and jumped out of bed, falling on my left hip, which caused the double closed pelvic bone fracture makes me vulnerable. Lowering that risk is a MUST!

This was on Dec. 3, it is better now but still takes ONE YEAR according to Dr. Gephart.

Embarrassing but this is one of my 'secrets'... Haha! But please don't put me on the top riser — I'M SCARED!

Letter from Dr. Gephart where she explained:

After careful review of Pathology results it is determined that patients toenails is and was damaged due to her falling off the bleachers (risers) on May 2, 2017. Pathological results do indicate trauma to the nail plates bilateral. If there are any questions or concerns about the information provided above please feel free to contact our offices and select option 3.

Tammy Gephart DPM

For years I've traveled the 250 km (155 miles) one-way to see Dr. Gephart! 

On May 19, 2019 this is what I put on the choir's GroupMe

Sad about not having this greatest show on YouTube, like in 2017

That was a great day yesterday with lots of energy! Jennifer, you did bring me back to my younger years when I was in Fashion School as your dress so much looked like the Pop Art Fashion of the 60s that we had to design! Your writing here is also excellent - nothing what I can add to that. Only sad that our daughters, Goddaughters, family and friends can NOT see any of the 'American system' DVD. We were lucky in 2017 with the YouTube version that could be shared over all continents... And it looks that since my fall in 2017, I'm still kind of 'trailing' on the program as my name was not correct (Mariete) and for some reason out of the alphabetical listing.

Kelly tried to silence me and not in a nice way. 

She managed to get rid of me by exclusion bullying.

Two days after the Revue, Pieter and I flew to the Netherlands, for visiting Dad one final time...

On the day of his cremation, Pieter found Kelly's message on the iPad, that she had removed me and that I was not welcome back in August!

Still I did go to their 1st rehearsal, to confront her in person and also to thank the choir members for all the love received during Dad's passing (got ONE sympathy card!)...

I asked Kelly what she'd written in the GroupMe to all other choir members, about me, after first removing me. 

No reply of course she was too cowardly! 

Actions speak louder than words...

Witnesses may be drawn in as 'secondary abusers'.

Got it all taped (carried Pieter's iPhone for that purpose inside my mesh Vogue backpack).

When I got back from confronting Kelly...

Got enough material for a lawyer, including her copyright infringements (that's how the lady providing her with such, got her spot on the floor in the 1st row). 

But her FINAL JUDGE will be taking care of all this...

Now at least you know why I'm no longer singing.

After a 22 year career for Kelly with her four different age groups, Covid took care of it all...

We practiced inside the First Baptist choir room, except for final rehearsal a the theatre.

Each of us paid her a one time fee (for the music sheets) of $ 25.00 and ten times $ 25.00 per month.

We also had to dress in a certain way, so there was more involved.

For performance at the University of Georgia for singing the National Anthem, we had to drive a good 3 hours one way. Another Fair we had to drive to in about 2 hours, one way.

We did it all with pleasure.

Related link:

Pieter J.C. Vedder captured me—falling off the risers at the Dublin, Georgia theater | short video

From CitizenM Hotel on Delta Airlines from Amsterdam to Savannah, Georgia | Seeing Dad on our 67th trip to The Netherlands...

{What Type of Feet do YOU have?} | previous post with my once perfect Egyptian toes...

A True Love Story NEVER ENDS

Again something light for today...

BUT BEAUTIFUL!

A True 

Love Story

Never 

Ends

This Gift of Six Coasters Contained ONLY Two in English...

But that is enough for a Blissful Relationship!

Thanks for your visit.

Gift by same friends was this coaster: I May Not Be Perfect But My Cat LOVES ME

I May Not Be Perfect But My Cat LOVES ME

Today just something LIGHT...

🐾 I May Not Be Perfect But My Cat LOVES ME...  🐾

🐾

Sweet Gift of Coasters from Dear Friends in The Netherlands...

They too have a cat fur baby!

🐾

Make you the world A bit better...

In our veranda we enjoy looking at our sun catcher with quote from Edward W. Bok that we purchased at the Bok Tower, highest point in Florida.

Just want to share it with you here:

Click to find it on my Pinterest in: QUOTES & WORDS OF WISDOM with info for ordering it from the Bok Tower Giftshop.

It is hanging to the right, next to another one from the Bok Tower.
Below my Hand Crocheted Fleur de Lys curtains...

A bit more close but still hard to actually catch it well, against the light!
Together with the Delftware houses we collected over the years from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines it looks great!

This is it, looking outside...

Wishing you a lovely day and thanks for your visit and comment!

Related links:
{Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Florida} | previous post about our visit to Bok Tower, HIGHEST point in Florida

{The Kiss of the Sun for Pardon} | previous post about the other sun catcher from Bok Tower
Mega Task Crocheting DONE | previous post where you can see the sun catcher
My 2nd Fleur de Lys Crocheted Curtain is Hanging | previous post by me
{1903 Ladies Home Journal by Edward Bok - The Mother of America & Dutch American Heritage Day} | previous post by me
{Edward Bok Quote} | previous post by me

1982 Sinden Award for Pieter at The Hotel Majestic, Harrogate, England

Yes, in 1982, husband Pieter became the very first non-British, to receive the prestigious Sinden Award at the Mushroom Industry Conference in The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate in England.

The Sinden Award...

This very Waterford Crystal Decanter was engraved with the words SINDEN AWARD 1982 and presented as a gift to Pieter

Here the engraved words SINDEN AWARD 1982 are reflecting in the silver tray...

SINDEN

AWARD

1982
Finally a sunny day for making these photos on March 6...

MUSHROOM INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
Harrogate 1982
THE HOTEL MAJESTIC, HARROGATE

Banquet Programme

*

Grace will be said by Mr. J. H. Green

*

THE QUEEN

Proposed by Mr. H. J. Linfield 

Chairman of the Mushroom Growers' Association

(those that are not familiar with this British ritual, a toast to the Queen is always made during a special event).

*

THE GUESTS

Proposed by Mr. H. J. Linfield 

Chairman of the Mushroom Growers' Association

(another formal ritual where each name is being called off and that person walks in...)

To blogger friend Rosemary a question: What is the staff called, to knock on the floor with, before calling the persons names?

*

Guest Speaker

Mr. Brian Wash, Q.C.

*

PRIZE-GIVING and INVESTITURE OF 

THE INCOMING CHAIRMAN

Menu

Whitby Crab and Salmon Mousse

*

Savoury Yorkshire Pudding with Onion Gravy

*

Wansford Steak and fresh vegetables

*

Wharfedale Orange Tart

*

Wensleydale Cheese & biscuits

*

Coffee and mints

Pieter gave his Sinden Award speech:

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gents.

It is a great honor I realize, and I am very grateful to all of you, especially the nominating committee, for getting this Sinden Award.

It will be now approximately 25 years ago, I suppose, that I visited the U.K. for the first time.

I was working in the Extension Service as the brand new assistant of what I can now name as my mushroom parents; Pieter Bels and his wife Henriette Bels–Koning.

I remember very well that we visited the Noble-Atkins farm, with wooden shelf beds, gleaming from the Cresylic Acid, or Baker and Jones, using trays with a loose, separate bottom. We visited Barton who just started in a few handicraft houses and also Linfield, especially to see how a big, mechanized composting yard was designed and how an automatic composter works. We also had a look at Peter Stanley–Evans' farm. He showed us his nice chrysanthemums first and later the mushrooms. He grew them in soldier cribs, in army beds, so in fact he is the first real bed grower.

Later, many times, a number of you gave us hospitality and opened your farms for my Dutch students. 

In my lecture, on Thursday, I have already said that we in The Netherlands realize very well that we also learned from our colleagues abroad, not the least from the U.K. growers as well. So the first instigation for this Award is given by yourself.

My job is, as you know, gathering practical experience and knowledge, translating that into useful growers language and then selling the message.

So, if I was in the position to do something for the Mushroom Industry than it was because of a number of people, growers as well as colleagues, supporting me with their experience and the results of their research. I like to accept this Award therefore, not as Pieter Vedder as a person, but as a representative of a country.

I think, this Award is a mark of nearly 25 years of good cooperation and even friendship between the mushroom growers in two countries. I hope from both sides we are in the position to continue that fellowship and friendship, because 'You can't have too much of a good thing'.

(The English' well-known slogan or quote to promote mushrooms...)

Thank you very, very much!

 The Sinden Award 1982
Pieter Vedder
In recognition of his outstanding
contributions to the
Mushroom Industry
for many years both in the
International field and on behalf of
British Growers who have made this
presentation.
His book
'Modern Mushroom Growing'
has found a place on every progressive
grower's desk.
His mushroom courses at Horst
have a worldwide reputation and
have helped innumerable growers,
young and not so young, from many countries.
In addition, his advice is always
available to anyone who asks and
is always cogent.
Chairman

Mushroom Growers' Association

The Best Conference for Many Years...

Excerpt from the above page: The afternoon session started with Mr. Pieter Vedder of Horst -- the 1982 Sinden Award Winner -- giving his Sinden Award lecture 'Our Formula to be Competitive in the Mushroom Business'. Just click the link for viewing Pieter's lecture!

Also published in The Mushroom Journal January 1983 ←click ISMS link.
One has come to expect over the years a very high standard from Pieter and his audience were not disappointed.

Working for the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries at the time was not easy as you had almost no freedom.
In June, husband Pieter had already written his boss, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries for allowing him to travel to England...
This is the reply from July 5, 1982
In response to your above-mentioned writing, I notify you that on my behalf I do not encounter any objections if your board allows you to receive the award personally.
As for the exact period of your absence, I will be pleased for being informed in time.
I have also taken note that the costs associated with attending the conference are borne by the Mushroom Growers Association.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to compliment you on this Honorable Award.
The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries
For this, the Director of agricultural education, Dr. Ir. P.K. Schenk

IN THE SUNSHINE
Principal P. Vedder of the education center for mushroom cultivation in Horst, The Netherlands has been decorated with the high English distinction of the Sinden Award. This award is awarded since 1975 to a person who has made himself meritorious in the mushroom cultivation. Vedder from Horst, The Netherlands, is the first foreigner to whom this recognition was awarded. Congratulations.

Published in the local Echo on Friday, October 15, 1982

High Foreign Award
Mr. P. Vedder, director of the Centre for Mushroom Cultivation Education, Westerholtstraat in Horst, The Netherlands, was presented the Sinden Award at the annual congress of the Mushroom Growers' Association in England.
This award was set up in 1975 by the English Mushroom Growers' Association and is awarded annually to a person who made himself meritorious in the mushroom cultivation. This award was first  presented to Dr. Sinden, who was the most important international figure in the mushroom world in the eyes of the English growers. The award is also named after him.
Mr. P. Vedder is the first foreigner to qualify for this award. The annual congress of the Mushroom Growers' Association in England was held in Harrogate this year. On Thursday, October 7, Mr Vedder held a lecture on this subject: "Our Formula to be Competitive in the the Mushroom Business".
On the closing day of the Congress, on October 9, the award was presented. He received the award for his entire work for the Education in Mushroom Cultivation. Specifically 3 points were emphasized:
a. His book "Modern Mushroom Growing" no mushroom grower in the world is without it. (It is even translated into Polish).
b. The Centre for Mushroom Cultivation Education in Horst organizes annually two important courses for the growers in English.
c. Mr Vedder's willingness to always be available with practical advice for the grower.
This year Mr Vedder is also involved in mushroom cultivation for 25 years. He was a researcher at the Experimental Station for the Mushroom Culture in 1957. In 1961, the first Dutch edition of his famous book "Modern Mushroom Cultivation" appeared. In 1963, he was instructed to set up education for the mushroom growers. In 1964, the first courses were given and in 1969, the school started in its own building on the Westerholtstraat.

The same story got picked up by other News Papers as well...

An old fashioned telegram from Indonesia, from Mr. Soetantyo from Mantrust, Jakarta for whom we later worked... We knew him already for a number of years through the World Bank.

Numerous cards and congrats poured in for Pieter.

*

Just have to add that my dear husband Pieter has always been a down to earth person, approachable for everyone and he always helped out.

He never used his title as his motto always has been: "I hope they respect me for what I am and not because of my title"! 

His very humble upbringing during the depression years and WWII made him appreciate so much more the true values of life.

He never accepted any bribes for promoting a certain product—and thus he never accumulated great wealth.

What most counts is the worldwide friendships that last a lifetime!

*

Too bad that on his special day of recognition, he was all by himself... his ex-wife Thea never had a real interest in his work and was not eager to join him. She never kept a scrapbook for him or whatsoever. Her interests were only for her hobbies and tennis, she never worked a single day.

*

I no doubt would have felt honored to stand by him during this ceremony!

It was only four months later that Pieter and I embarked on our life's journey together as we found TRUE LOVE!

We both treasure our INTERNAL WEALTH of worldwide friendships and many fond memories!

That is what life is all about, for helping others to achieve a better life and for creating fond memories to look back on towards the end of your life...

Related links:
1978 - P.J.C. Vedder's Modern Mushroom Growing Book Published in English | previous post by me
1980 MGA Conference Reception in Royal Albert Hall, London | previous post by me
Husband Pieter Speaks at MGA Conference, Bournemouth - England | previous post by me

Husband Pieter visiting Mushrooms in the Cave - Bradford-on-Avon in England | previous post by me

Visiting A.G. Linfield Mushroom Compost Facility in England  | previous post by me

Husband Pieter met with Darlington Spawn Makers and Fred Atkins in England | previous post by me

SO Happy for Having Met Another WRITING Mushroom Wife in the U.K. | previous post by me

Husband Pieter's Fond Relationship with Mushroom Growers in  the U.K. | previous post by me

Sentimental TREASURE from Mom...

While having the contractors creating 'dust' inside our home, I took it upon me to scan the final box of letters that Pieter found in the storage room under our front porch. TREASURES as those were Mom's letters from 1983 through 1988. Not only Mom's but also my Mother-in-law's and Pieter's brothers who no longer are with us.
We both treasure them so very much. But it was quite a task.
Yesterday I've completed the 1,187 scans by aligning and cropping them and filing by date. 

Pieter did read them before they got tossed out but I have not yet had the time!

One sentimental treasure from Mom, that got sent with her mail in 1985, I would like to share here.

Even though it is in Dutch, I found the English wording as well. It is below...

Drievoudig

is de gang des tijds:

dralend komt

de toekomst nader,

pijlsnel is vervlogen

het heden,

eeuwig stil staat het verleden.

Schiller

The future comes slowly, the 
present flies and the past stands still forever.
~  Friedrich Schiller on my Pinterest

Dreifach ist der Schritt der Zeit:
Zögernd kommt die Zukunft hergezogen,
pfeilschnell ist das jetzt entflogen,
ewig still steht die Vergangenheit.
~ Friedrich Schiller on my Pinterest

When I translate directly from the original German, it reads like this:
Triple is the step of time:
hesitantly the future comes up,
arrow fast the present is gone,
eternally still stands the past.

Love such sentiment!

And yes, our bathroom is DONE! So happy with it.

{IT CAN BE DONE}

Former President Ronald Reagan's famous plaque 'IT CAN BE DONE' which he kept at his oval office desk...

I had kept The 1994 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book for quite some years and did actually scan this photo below:

Made in Italy, this Leather Office Plaque is so very special!

This gold lettering on cordovan leather plaque is still available at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute at their store, under office (click hyperlink in pink and than on shop by category...).

President Ronald Reagan meant a lot to me!

For 53 years we shared a birthday together and he died on my late husband's birthday in 2004.

When we came to this great country in 1983, it was Ronald Reagan who was President, till 1989.

We left for work in Italy soon after his 2nd term was over...

Love to share some of Ronald Reagan's quotes:

I know in my heart that man is good.

That what is right will always eventually triumph.

And there's purpose and worth to each and every life.

~  

You and I have a rendezvous with destiny.

We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to taketh first step into a thousand years of darkness. 

If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here.

We did all that could be done.

Thanks for your visit!

{Mom Did Wear Many Hats}

Indeed, during her lifetime, Mom did wear many hats.

She was above all a loving Mom, a devoted and submissive wife, a cook, a seamstress, a great housekeeper, and a very hard working partner working in the greenhouses and on the fields; harvesting vegetables and fruits.

The list could go on and on...

For readers from foreign countries who are maybe not familiar with the English saying of 'Wearing many hats', it means a person has different roles or tasks to perform.

Just because Mom made MANY sacrifices during her life time, being a Mom to a large family of 8, of which 7 survived, she NEVER could go on vacation.

So it was a joy for offering her four times this luxury for being able to fly off, across the Atlantic Ocean from The Netherlands to Georgia, USA.

Dad did come a total of six times and Pieter and I did pay for six of their ten roundtrip plane tickets. 

Mom & Dad have been escorted on March 20, 1996 by a dear friend of us who also was flying back from the Netherlands to Atlanta, Georgia!

The very first time, in April of 1987, they flew over together with both of us.

This photo was taken two days after she arrived in 1996.

Mom did not have to cook, clean, launder or do anything.

That is visible in her face; feeling very happy and pampered.

Mom was taken by the lady that gathered outfits for her, and who also did her hair and put lipstick on.

Meanwhile the clever photographer asked me to jot down some basic words in Dutch, for him to use - like 'chin up' - smile etc.

Mom LOVED it that he spoke her language and was so happy about the 'ease' of working with this clever guy. It is quite noticeable in these photos.

She even looks a bit mischievous in my opinion...

Both trips I took alone with Mom, just Mother & Daughter, for having those Glamour shots made and one week later, on April 4, to pick up the one photo that we selected on a computer screen, with several smal ones.
The above photos are taken from small sizes.
When we got home with our photos, Dad was very amazed and had to look at them, over and over...

In my leather bound journal I wrote on Tuesday, April 16 of 1996 that in the evening our friends arrived for coffee with dessert as a farewell to Mom & Dad.
The hit of the evening was my Mom with her Glamour shots!
They found she looked like a movie star and Uncle Bo found Mom now very worth while instead of another 'Mariet'...
Everyone found she also looked younger now than in 1987.
Dad got very quiet... he always had been used to being the center of attention, especially when he sang a solo as a first tenor.
It was great that Mom for once was the center of attention!

Next day we had one last breakfast together and drove to Atlanta to check in World Business class on our courtesy card with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
They were even that courteous for letting all four of us into the shared Lufthansa lounge.
Than came a very emotional goodbye, especially Mom was tearful.
The day before she mentioned that those photos were the most beautiful gift she'd ever received...
I did listen to her video tape where she did mention it at the end of that evening with our friends.
She was so very happy.
Fond memories around Mother's Day!

Yes, I too had one photo taken during that session with Mom...
 ~
Mom used to wear always a hat to Church when I was a girl, there still was a real millinery in my home town where I loved to peak inside the window.
Maybe that's where my fondness of hats originated from.
At least these pictures do remind me of my Mom when I was a girl.
Hope you enjoyed them too.
Wishing all those that still are fortunate to have their Mom around, a very Happy Mother's Day and also to those that are a Mom themselves.
For each of us it is a day filled with memories, that live inside our hearts forever.
I have been blessed with a sweet Mom and today when I watched the video, I've laughed a lot; so many fun things with lots of humor too.

Here this photo was taken by my Dad as I mostly video taped things.
Mom is waving goodbye, from the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a train in Tennessee from 1880.
So many farewells, for the 4 times that Mom came to the US and for the 64 times that we came to The Netherlands...

This is just 6 months after Mom & Dad went home and we went to Church in the morning, made this photo and then left for the airport on our 42nd trip to The Netherlands.
Me, looking happy for getting to see my Mom again!

Until it was that one final time...

They are not gone who live in the hearts of those they leave behind.

- Native American Saying

{Mom Lived 16 Days Short of Her 91st Birthday} showing Mom's writing in our guest book

Mom got called MOVIE STAR for once she was the CENTER of ATTENTION! | later post by me with video...