SAD outcome for my Favorite Chanel Barrette

 Yep, my most Favorite Chanel Barrette that I dropped off at the Chanel Boutique of Neiman Marcus in Atlanta, got home on Tuesday... BUT not repaired that is!

That is me on May 30, 1998—at a dear friend's daughter's graduation...

Wearing both my Chanel barrettes!

LOVED them so much...

Here I'm seen in my silk Chanel logo blouse—one of my sewing creations made from silk bought in Jakarta, Indonesia.

This was on April 30, 1998 with Uncle Bo and dear friend Lei from Escondido, CA.

On April 09, 1997, I've ordered my first Chanel Barrette from Neiman Marcus.

Coming back from Delaware, Pennsylvania on July 16, 1997, we drove by at Neiman Marcus in Atlanta for picking up my 2nd Chanel Barrette...

On August 30, 1997 we stopped by at Neiman Marcus in Atlanta for showing them one of my two Chanel Barrettes that had come apart. Without any discussion—I received another one!

So that makes it almost 25 years of good use....

On January 9, 2023 I had dropped off my Chanel barrette at the Chanel Boutique of Neiman Marcus in Atlanta.

Clicking on VIEW STATUS...

I could follow the REPAIR STATUS...

Until I received this message on February 8, 2023.

SO DISAPPOINTED!

Did retrieve it Tuesday on Saint Valentine's Day.

That sure was a bummer!

BUT tomorrow on Saturday I will receive a replacement Chanel Barrette, coming from Vero Beach, Florida 🤗 

So happy that I found a replacement on POSHMARK—there were two more excellent ones from Japan but Florida is easier without any customs and duty issues.

Yay—got it and it's perfect also with the number 62 just like my other one. The broken one had number 61.

Related link:

And Another Birthday with Pearls | previous post by me

Driving from Tennessee through Mississippi and Alabama home to Georgia

Our final stretch home, from this 11–day journey by car to the West.

On Interstate 22 East Byhalia, Mississippi and look at the perfect weather!

We veer off towards Holly Springs and Tupelo, Mississippi

Rolling Truck Stop & Cafe near Flatwood and Carbon Hill, Alabama on Interstate 22

Chevron in Nauvoo, Alabama

Pieter napping in Cordova, Alabama

Interstate 20 East Birmingham – Fountain Heights

Center right is the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham and made me think of Uncle Bo Whaley who worked as an FBI agent for 20 years...

We pretty soon got to change our watches again, one hour later!

Around 16:30 I was in Atlanta, Georgia veering off of Interstate 20 onto Interstate 75 South...

We both needed a human pit stop and with that we always filled up our car.

This was at Shell Oil in Jackson, Georgia

Just have to rave about these healthy snacks from Costco.

Pains au Chocolat

Product of France

No artificial colors

No artificial flavors

No high fructose corn syrup

NO GMO

European bakery items are by far not as sweet as American and this is so important for me with diabetes type 2 and CKD stage 4.

Felt great during the entire trip and we both didn't change weight.

Often the high sugar level goes hand in hand with high sodium; a no–no for both of us, also for Pieter since his heart attack and open–heart surgery on September 3, 2010.

On July 16, I started driving with the mileage on 13,633 

Home by 19:17 and the total mileage was now 18,602

My total mileage 4,969 mi or 7,996.83 km

Fuel Economy for our Infiniti QX50 was 28.9 MPG 

28.9 U.S. Mile Per Gallon =

12.29 Kilometers per Liter

Total trip and 8 dots for where we spent the night(s)—4,969 mi or 7,996.83 km.

We passed through 16 states:

1. Georgia
2. Tennessee
3. Kentucky
4. Illinois
5. Missouri
6. Iowa
7. Nebraska
8. South Dakota
9. Wyoming
10. Colorado
11. New Mexico
12. Texas
13. Oklahoma
14. Arkansas
15. Mississippi
16. Alabama

Our car had its oil change and rotating of wheels done a couple of days later.

Having the appointment with Infiniti, we opted for a stay at Hyatt Regency Suites in Marietta and enjoy a swim... 

But our good luck with perfect weather seemed to be OVER with, as it RAINED!

This was next morning from our room, Atlanta skyline in the distance.

To the left is our loyal Infiniti QX50 parked, after the check up.

LOVED driving this car, perfect in the mountains and not a single issue with it. 

Hope you enjoyed traveling along and maybe learned something for not putting off things, before you will regret it.

Shared memories with your spouse are always double joy!

Enjoy one final 2 minute Relive video:

Pieter's Outfit from Khazana at Taj Palace New Delhi Hotel

 On February 29 of 1991 we were at the Taj Palace New Delhi hotel after our two–week consulting work for Pond's India. This before flying to Indonesia where we worked and lived at the time.

With a guide from Pond's we did go to the State Emporia where we found a whale for Uncle Bo Whaley, and for us a sandalwood carving with balls inside. 

Also a bird painting on rice paper. 

Back at our hotel we found for Pieter a very nice fitting greenish cotton pair of trousers and a striped shirt.

This was on our patio in Wonosobo, Indonesia where Pieter put on the entire set.

Perfect fit!

Admiring our orchids that just hang on wood wool planks against the wall.

Happy times during our life in Indonesia!

The climate was so perfect for our hair...

We also found a perfect pure silk black tie at the Taj Palace New Delhi Khazana Shop.

India has so much!

It is real black, the shine of the silk made it look a bit different... 😉

Pieter wearing his Khazana trousers on his 69th Birthday in our front porch.

Behind him: Our HUGE Clematis lanuginosa 'Candida' in 2022←click it

The same guy, same trousers only 31 years later... 

And yes, those comfy eco friendly Loints sandals are still alive as well!

Notice the Moonflower vine, to the left of Pieter's knee?

Home grown by Pieter from seeds and it is opening its very first flower!

They too are HUGE and bloom at night mainly; hence its name Moonflower — Ipomoea alba.

Photos taken around 9:00 so it was closing.

Pieter on the back step of our gazebo. The white gingerbread from Vintage Woodworks looks so nice after it got painted again.

From inside of gazebo facing the pond area.

Related link:

COME Cross the Tengger Sand Sea to Volcano Mount Bromo, Indonesia | previous post by me both wearing our Loints sandals

True Indigo Indigofera Tinctoria in Pieter's Favorite Color | previous post by me with Loints sandals

Blissful Relationship in the Tropics of Indonesia | previous post by me with Loints sandals

P.J.C. Vedder on Mushroom Cultivation during Technology Transfer Seminar part 2 | previous post where Pieter is wearing his Khazana trousers...

Hyatt House Charleston Historic District – Great Courtesy

 Sure enough we managed again to escape for 3 wonderful nights!

This time I'd booked us a High Floor Studio King with Kitchen and Sofabed, using our Hyatt points.

We were in room 772 and guess this was the most QUIET room we ever stayed in!

Around 18:15 o'clock we checked in and went to our room on the 7th floor out of 9 total. 

It took me about 3.5 hours to drive there after lunch and nap time for Pieter.

The public parking garage was just to the right, very convenient!

The Hyatt Staff showed Great Courtesy!

Our One Bedroom King Suite (they also have Two Bedroom King Suites).

Our living room with Sofabed... if needed, that is.

Kitchen with our small cool box visible.

Now time for relaxing with a cup of tea and rice cake with mixed unsalted nuts, just like at home.

Later we had our supper as we'd brought our food from home.

Great at HOME feeling!

The bathroom with toilet (as seen mirrored in shower glass), shower and spacious vanity.

Here we could easily settle for the 3 nights!

Next day we would go on a See–It–All–Sightseeing Bus Tour for exploring Charleston, South Carolina.

~

We have been to this city before, on Tuesday, February 28 in 1990, for retrieving our cars at Charleston harbor, as they got shipped back to the USA from Italy...

Our dear friend Uncle Bo Whaley, did drive us then, in his Lincoln, and we had lunch with friend Donna Rae Canady and her daughter Lynn at restaurant Brian.

Driving home each in a separate car...

We were quite shocked from seeing the devastation done by Hurricane Hugo in September 1989.

In honor of our friend Donna Rae, who died of cancer, I hand crocheted: {Fleur de Lys Filet Crochet designed by Mariette's Back to Basics} and you see also a photo of Ellie and Jeu, taken in 2010 when they visited us the day Pieter had his heart attack...

~

Once more we came very close to visiting Charleston, South Carolina with best friend Ellie and husband Jeu from The Netherlands on June 11 of 1997.

We were on the way and had just purchased things at the Escada outlet in Hilton Head.

When arriving at the hotel for the night, Ellie discovered that 3 of her purchased items were not on the hangers in the large plastic garment bag. 

So we called the Escada outlet store and the elderly sales person Mary, had not wrapped them all up...

We went back in the morning and decided not to continue to Charleston, also since I'd been very ill that morning already while in the shower and was too dizzy for breakfast.

~

So glad we now finally made it to Charleston! 

Well deserved!

Great Courtesy—all the way!

Enjoy this short Relive video.

Stay tuned for more...

Happy Easter to my Readers and their Families!

Protecting Ducklings & Dinner for Uncle Bo Whaley

Having  your own property with Backyard Wildlife is at times complicated...

It is heartbreaking to see some 40 ducklings vanish within days, from a long row of 13 to 3 and then 0...

Kwekkie the Mama duck, never gave up and started all over.

We have raccoons, hawks, owls, snapping turtles, foxes...

We both speak Dutch in video, but you can use the YouTube version and find the clickable points written below, with English text. 

We always sent my Parents this kind of written letters home, so they could see and hear us.

Kwekkie happily on our pond with 7 of her ducklings... I've seen that the big Eastern River Cooter did pull down one of the tiny ducklings while they were eating cracked corn near the pond's edge.

Eastern River Cooter ←click link

Yes, they occasionally eat other things then just aquatic plants.

Sure, they ate all our water lilies and lotus flowers too.

River Cooter Diet and Nutrition - older turtles may occasionally seek prey as well... ←click link

River Cooter Pseudemys concinna - diet ←click link

The species P. concinna is highly omnivorous and will eat anything, plant or animal, dead or alive. Diet seems to be determined by available food items. While some writers feel that this species of turtle will not eat meat, predatory behavior has been observed.

Yep, I've seen it with my own eyes!

Let's forget the nasty killing... No fun to do and while patrolling early morning at 6:00 AM that was not a happy start of the day for me.

But in the evening I cooked us a good dinner and dessert I still had plenty left from our High Tea two days earlier.

Uncle Bo Whaley and Delores viewing some of our photos in the veranda, after dinner.

Fond memories!

Miss my Uncle Bo and he's already 15 years in heaven...

The Polka Dot cotton pique skirt pants I'm wearing is one of my own sewing creations.

This was an empty whole milk plain yogurt container with cream on top...

Pieter's brother Toon, the ex Marine, shot through and next his brother Pieter (my husband) an ex Military guy shot through the very same hole!!!

Vedders are sharp shooters and don't mess with their wife either... 😏

Several years later, Pieter shot a huge snapping turtle that constantly knocked down the rocks from the island, that Pieter had built for placing the fountain inside.

On the video from Middle Georgia Magazine you could see it in working.

Related links:

Our Garden at the Time we had Access to Spent Mushroom Compost | video showing fountain on rock island on our pond

{White Waterlily Nymphaea odorata in our Pond} | showing the big mama turtle

{TURTLE} | Showing the big mama turtle

{Ducks in Our Pond} | previous post by me

{Our TURTLE KINDERGARTEN} | previous post by me

High Tea Prepared and Baked by Me | previous post by me and from which we had dessert left over...

Cleaning Our Pond and Fountain | previous post by me 

Mom got called MOVIE STAR for once she was the CENTER of ATTENTION!

 

Now 25 years ago but this is such a dear memory of my Mom!She NEVER was the CENTER of ATTENTION before...Always a hardworking Mom and without any complaining, she helped Dad in the fields and greenhouses and ran the entire household for nine!Sure, I've helped her a lot but she never had time off, for visiting with a friend or seeing her own Mother. Mom never had a driver's license, so she was pretty much stuck in her kitchen and home.Dad on the contrary, being a member of two choirs, had to perform regularly, and he sang solos and got lots of attention. Mom was proud of him! She was an ANGEL and one that never complained...On March 20, 1996 Mom & Dad flew together with our friend Marianne, who'd visited her son in The Netherlands, from Amsterdam to Atlanta.So I found it was time for giving her a special gift! On Friday of March 22nd, Pieter went with Dad to his Rotary Club meeting. Just Mom and me, we drove to the next city, about one hour away and we both had Glamour Shots made as it is called.Mom had NO makeup on, only some powder for reducing shine and LIPSTICK!Her hair got done with big rollers and then all the garments came out.The photographer had asked me ahead of time, some Dutch words so he could give her his commands in HER language. Mom was so charmed by him and he even spoke Dutch she later in the car said!Dad was quite impressed when we both got home, she still was radiating, so happy and relaxed and she felt pampered by so much attention.When we went on Friday March 29, to pick up the photos that I'd selected off the computer screen, Mom & I went out for lunch and some shopping. Returning home, Dad could not believe with what she came home with. One selected photo and all the small ones; he got very 'quiet'...~When on that Friday evening, all friends complimented her, including Uncle Bo, as how young she looked compared to her very 1st visit in 1987, eight years earlier, Mom was in heaven and Dad was very, VERY quiet! Mom even reprimanded him one time, where she said he had to look nice...She called it her BEST GIFT EVER so that made both our hearts sing.A gift well chosen...Next day she had a hard time saying goodbye at the airport, after I'd checked both of them in First Class on my Royal Wing card from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. They even let all four of us use the Lufthansa lounge which both airlines did share for their first class and business class passengers.We'd purchased Mom & Dad a regular economy ticket but it was a gift, in return for being able to use their car at times when visiting in The Netherlands...
Related links:{Mom Did Wear Many Hats} | Showing some of Mom's glamour shots{Mom Lived 16 Days Short of Her 91st Birthday} | Mom's writing in our guest book after the 1996 visit{Challenge Accepted + Easter Photos} | previous post writing about Mom's visit when we had photo shoot{Happy 89th Birthday Dear Mom} | previous post summing up things my Mom taught me

Husband Pieter wrote about me: POET–PITBULL–PRODUCTIVE

 

On July 12, 2000 the day before we had to travel all the way to Jakarta, Indonesia for our 3 weeks of consulting work, we were out of of power due to an enormous thunder storm + rain!

So doing my laundry got halted and while waiting on my machines and having something to do, I started typing the 17 letters to all our relatives and friends...

Got done by 2:30 AM and after reading them all, Pieter would put them back inside their envelope and put the stamp etc. on.

Good feeling always!

Yes, I sure am a PITBULL and will not easy let go of things till DONE!

Making the best out of such a power outage and getting it ALL done.

We only had come back home from two weddings in Europe, shortly before this work trip so things got kind of back–to–back but my Pieter and I always have been able to handle it.

Being 2 consecutive nights on the plane, we would collapse in our chairs!!!

Next day at the Atlanta Airport waiting for boarding on our 22nd trip to work in Indonesia...

Atlanta to Amsterdam and from there on another flight to Singapore and on to Jakarta, Indonesia.

Feeling good for having accomplished a lot before taking off!

So, this is how a PITBULL looks...

In Amsterdam, at Schiphol airport and of course using the coin booth for calling Mom & Dad

~

On August 6, we were home again.

That's how we accumulated our 1,500,000 miles in the air and more!

Trip # 50 to Amsterdam from Atlanta we made on June 23, for attending the wedding of Pieter's brother's adopted daughter... and also of our German 'son' on July 1st and back home on July 6.

So only 6 days in-between... That forced one for being VERY PRODUCTIVE!

By the way, on September 9, 1986 I still was a member of the POETRY CLUB...

The above 'whale' was my design for writer Uncle Bo Whaley

With Dad to Santa Cruz, Redwood State Parks, Pebble Beach, Monterey Sea Aquarium + Dinner at Shadowbrook Restaurant

On Monday, March 1 in 1993,  husband Pieter was in Chicago giving a Seminar for Campbell Soup and I would go for one day to their Pescadero Mushroom Farm in Santa Cruz.

Thus, I checked out with Dad, from our San Francisco hotel and started driving South via Highway 101 onto Highway 1 along the coast via the Scenic Half Moon Bay drive.

This is Highway 1, along the coast... Near Half Moon Bay you view the eroded cliff sides.

Pieter and I have also been there at times that the road was covered with eroded rocks and sand and traffic blocked.

As I had to work next day for the Campbell Soup plant in Pescadero, we first went there.

Then I did take Dad back up to the north for driving the scenic Skyline Boulevard, Route 35 to show Dad the natural wonders of this region.

There was no GPS back then, all I had was some magazine info with the most scenic routes...

BUT after a stop and guidance from a guy on a tractor, we ended up in the Big Basin Redwood State Park.

We managed to see the burned out Chimney Tree but could not find the Auto Tree, one of the oldest and where a car can drive through. 

Dad was in awe, and he had me run back to the car, for fetching the camera and capturing at least some images with him!

Dad was eager for consulting his book at home, back in The Netherlands, and checking out the pictures and information...

Now it was on to our final destination for the day, the Holiday Inn at Santa Cruz.

We both did walk briskly towards the Fisherman's Wharf, before dark – showing Dad the seals and where they would jump onto the wooden beams at the board walk for sleeping...

See my previous post about my First Trip to California, Santa Cruz – below this one.

~

Next day I started around 7:00 with my consulting job at the Campbell Soup's Pescadero mushroom farm and worked all day.

In return, the manager had one of his staff members, Carmen, tour with us the entire following day for sight seeing the coming day.

Carmen, started out by taking us to another Redwood area, the Pescadero Memorial Park.

Memorial Park (2nd Hike) click link for seeing this exact tree with info as Carmen missed part of it...

It obviously is a kind of cut off tree on the side that is not visible from the top in our photo.

Dad tried to capture me against another redwood or Sequoia sempervirens...

Next, Carmen took my Dad and me to Pebble Beach click for more info.

Dad and Carmen at Pebble Beach...

Sand–polished Gems, you can read more from the above mentioned link.

Giving you a view from Pebble Beach, over the Pacific Ocean

More of the Pacific Ocean with a rather strong surf and lots of shore birds

A better view from Pebble Beach and its many shore birds

Center photo you can see the silhouette of Pescadero's famous Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz along the rugged San Mateo coast line...

It is the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast!

See better photo in my previous post below: My First Trip to California, Santa Cruz

Dad in Monterey, after our very scenic drive down Highway 1; belonging to the most scenic of the world.

Carmen and me on the rocks in Monterey at the Wharf

Dad in Monterey at the Wharf

It sure was a perfect day, and we thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Monterey Sea Aquarium where we found the Sea Otters the most funny! One was allowed to touch the smaller sea creatures; so educative and fun and Dad was very happy.

Near the Sea Aquarium with a happy Dad!

We got treated royally that March 3, with a dinner at the famous Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola, where Dad got to ride the Cable Car; one of the most unique restaurants in the West.

Pieter dined here with the Campbell staff on January 27...

Next day, I drove back in our Dollar rental car, my blue Plymouth, to return it at the San Francisco Airport.

Crazy 'triple' photo but you clearly can see the yellow Tidy tips, California's spring wildflower!

Called the Ramada Inn with the courtesy phone, and with their shuttle we arrived for checking in for one night stay at the San Francisco Airport.

On Friday, March 5, we checked out from our hotel at 5:15 and with shuttle to the airport for our early flight from 6:40 to Minneapolis/St.Paul–the first leg of our journey back to the East, to Atlanta, Georgia.

We arrived home by 18:30 due to the 3 hours time difference!

Did sleep in on Saturday, March 6, for nursing my Bronchitis and Sciatica...

Pieter got home at 14:30 from his Campbell Soup Seminar in Chicago and he took Dad for singing practice by 16:00 together with the organist at the First Baptist Church. 

Dad's solos were the Negro Spirituals: Thank You Lord and Steal Away, which he also repeated on the 14th of March at yet another Church in town.

Both the organist and my Dad sounded perfect, and it got rounded off with a standing reception and refreshments in their social hall.

Dad flew back home on March 20, together with his Presidential gift from Uncle Bo Whaley; a specially handmade Irish shillelagh cane.

Skillfully crafted by our local Easter Seal workers. The day before, the Georgia Governor got presented with one by our local officials during the annual St. Patrick's Joint Civic Luncheon, organized by Pieter's Rotary Club.

Even President Carter received one in August of 1980...

~

So much for one week in California and three weeks in Georgia, all the way from The Netherlands...

Related links:

Dad with me in San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge Cruise | previous post

My First Trip to California, Santa Cruz | previous post by me with Shadowbrook Restaurant where Dad now dined with me...