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Wednesday, December 19, 2012


 Bill a week before his devastating stroke wearing his favourate tee shirt.

Red with the white insert.




I want to add a picture of Bills' Grand Parents. Otto & Sandra Sandstrom. 1910



Tuesday, December 18, 2012



The middle of August 2012

Bill and I sitting separately in front of the computer in our living room.

The lighting isn't good but now I'm sure glad I took the pictures.

Love BettyAnn



Monday, December 17, 2012


Thank you Bill for all the wonderful memories.





Monday, October 29, 2012.

4:00 a.m.- I woke from a terrible dream. I dreamt Bill was in the bathtub, head facing the toilet, dead. I couldn't go back to sleep. 
8:30 a.m. - Bill got up, made his breakfast. I told him about the dream and he said, "Maybe someone is telling us something." He washed, shaved and picked out his own clothes. He chose the red t-shirt with the white insert.
10:15 a.m. - We were ready to go out for a coffee at Walmart McDonalds. I asked him to come to my room and help pick out the fabric for sashing for Larry's dog quilt. Bill entered the room and asked, "May I sit down?. His legs were always sore. I told him to sit on the chair by the sewing machine. I had three fabrics - medium blue plaid, a fabric with lots of dogs and a fabric that had rust-coloured fire hydrants. Bill checked out the quilt on the designer wall. We both agreed the blue plaid was too dull. Bill's last words were, "I like the colour. I like the red hydrants." 
I have two more quilts that have some input from Bill, but Larry's quilt, in my mind, will always be the the last quilt we both worked on. Bill was an artist. I always respected his advise. 
10:30 a.m. - Bill suffered a massive stroke. The ambulance took him to the hospital where he passed away on Saturday,  November 17, 2012.
I will miss him forever.


Nicole captured Bill perfectly.

Thank you Nicole.



Sunday, September 2, 2012

August 31,2012.

This made me so sad, he's such an interesting kid. Chris and Nicole are very good parents. Bill and I are so proud of them.
Quotes from Nicole,
 "At the doctor office, looks like Braden broke his arm but just not any break, it looks like its broken in two place, like it's popped out, so sorry bud"

Oh my gosh, B trashed his rear tire and broke his helmet! He was riding no hands up the driveway, reached up to double high-five (high ten?) the garage door and went over backwards. Yikes!!!! No wonder he broke his wrist in two places. He had no idea his crash was that bad.


Quote from Chris.

They just put Brayden under, hope this procedure works. Love you bud.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Last day with The Utah Maki's

Utah, August 5, 2012. Me, Avery, Trenton, Brayden and my son Chris.

At the City Market. It was a Happy Day. 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Quilts I made this summer.


 The Senior Class of The  University of British Columbia announces Kate Maki Graduating with the class of 2012 .
Kate is a nurse working in British Columbia. She is my beautiful Grand daughter. 

2010 Vancouver Winter  Olympics fabric.  Made for Kate Maki.


Fabrics from Heather, pattern, Thimble Blossom "Red Velvet". Designed by Camille Roskelley.
Nicole Maki gave me the pattern and I made the quilt for her. 

Fabrics by Alexander Henry, " Jardin de los Muertos".  Made for Jenna Maki.

Jenna visited Mexico Spring 2012. 


Friday, August 24, 2012



Chris giving instruction to his two sons. Avery and Brayden.
I love Chris for spending so much time with his boys.
Our new car 2011 GM Cruze  Milage  44,360 Km.  August 13, 2012.

My Trip to Utah, July 27, to August 5, 2012

I am Aunt BettyAnn to my Niece

Betty Ann Naokes.


July 27, 2012.

Winnipeg, Manitoba.











Group of house on the Mountain near Draper, Utah.
 



Avery, Chris and Brayden.

Morning swim.













Salad of the day made by Nicole Maki.

July 2012.







Chris and me, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Summer of 2012.


This summer Bill and I experienced some good and some bad times. My trip to Utah was postponed but I did manager to get there in July. Most of Bill’s health issues have been dealt with to the point where life is still enjoyable and interesting, which meant I spent most of my time taking care of Bill and his appointments. This summer I've tried to use up all the fabrics I received as gifts last year, into quilts 

My flight to Salt Lake City, by Air Canada and United Airlines was a tiring 17 hour ordeal, I was to spend 9 hours waiting in Winnipeg for my connecting flights. Fortunately for me my niece, Betty Ann, whom I was named after, picked me up, took me to her condo and then to her son, Bill's place, This was an unexpected pleasant surprise. I had a wonderful dinner cooked by Bill and surrounded by his loving family. 

The time I spent in Draper, Ut and the surrounding area was more enjoyable than I could have imagined. Nicole was sick just before I got there so the plan was to spend my ten days just with the family in their home. Things turned out quite differently. I walked downtown Salt Lake City in 100 degree heat, all up hill, with no shade anywhere. I asked Nicole, "Have I walked a mile yet?' her answer was, "no maybe a quarter of a miIe," I thought I would die. I guess I was so exhausted I stumbled off the curb. Cars coming and going and no one hit me. Nicole and my grandkids were more concerned than I was. Thank goodness we were going to the movies to see "The Black Knight Returns" I had a chance to recuperate. That afternoon Chris had a BBQ appreciation day for his staff, later we met him in the lobby of the theater after the movie was over. Saturday we went to Park City street fair where they sold everything you can think of, except quilting fabrics.  Next stop was the Kennecott Utah Copper’s Bingham Canyon Mines. The History and the site was very interesting.
 http://www.utah.com/attractions/kennecott.htm

I was fortunate to be able to watch my two grandsons Avery, Brayden, and Chris swim. Chris swam for 20 minutes nonstop. I am so proud of him. Trenton is working hard on making code for the computer.

Chris and Nicole took me to many places and fabulous restaurants. The only food I didn't like was the true East India food. Thanks Chris, Nicole and boys for a wonderful holiday. 

While I was gone Heather’s husband Andy got my car ready for resale. The day I got home he put it up for sale on Kijiji, it sold that night. I’m so blessed. Thanks Andy.

RIP dear friends, Barry and Alma. 






C

July 13, 2012

Here I was planning a trip to Utah, I hope the fire is out soon.

There was a forest fire! It was close enough that this is the view from my front door. Scary! The authorities had us pack but not evacuate. Fortunately no homes burned and all was well in the end.


My oldest turned 16!

Happy Birthday Trenton. 

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

More Flooding.

Duluth, Mn.

Three weeks after the flood in Thunder Bay, On, our sister city, Duluth, Mn suffered the same fate.

We had a fish on our road, Duluth has a seal, who escaped from the zoo, on the mail street, downtown Duluth.  The seal got back home, safe and sound.

Here are a few photos.







Sunday, June 10, 2012

Teddy McDonald, Racing Cars. June 6, 2012


My Dad and his first wife Margaret, had 6 children but only three survived. Theresa, she moved her family to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jack, stayed in Fort William, Ontario, and William Harold, who died during the invasion of France, June 6, 1944. Margaret passed away October 1925. My dad married my mom Barbara in 1934. Life got in the way and dad’s first family never really got to know us. By the time we found my dad’s last remaining family, two grandson from his first marriage it was too late to have a family relationship. Ted the youngest had a stroke, Jack the oldest is living in British Columbia, but Jack and I do keep in touch with emails. Ted had two children Teddy who lives here in Thunder Bay, and his sister Kellly who lives in Southern Ontario. My sister Monica and I met Teddy at his father’s funeral, March 2009, in Fort Francis, Ontario. Teddy, Bill and I have met for coffee a few times. It is so interesting being with him, his late mom was a good school friend of Bill's. He looks like a McDonald but he's his mother's son. Teddy loves racing cars so a while back when I saw these fabrics I knew I would make a quilt for him. He can share it with his two children, son Bristol and daughter He now has a caring Great Aunt, me, and I couldn’t ask for a better Great Nephew. Today Wednesday June 6th was a perfect day for Teddy to receive his quilt. It is 68 years since the death of William Harold McDonald, (Bill) and the 31st year since the pasting of Teddy's mom Francis, both are gone but not forgotten. This is Teddy's quilt.

Time Sure Flies.


These last few months got away from me quickly. Bill’s health issues start out seriously but after many tests and doctor appointments they ended up being, not total good but manageable. 
Dr. Dhurjon, ophthalmologist, order a Fluorescein Angiography and Retinal O.C.T. test in May, done at the hospital. Bill has Diabetic retinopathy—damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. Dr. Dhurjon is holding off with the injections in Bill’s eyes hoping they might get better, so we will have to see the doctor more often for check ups. Waiting time in this doctor’s office for us and about forty other people is three hours. Taking care of Bill is no problem for me, I just don’t have time to visit our local quilt shop, or do some quilting.
During this tiring time, I decided to look at my stash. I have more fabrics than I can use if I had two life times. I found a good home for the fabrics I know I will never use, although when I purchased them I had such great plans. Durning the month of May I made kits from the beautiful fabrics I received as gifts for my birthday and Christmas. 
Now on to sad news, May 29th we had a flood in Thunder Bay. I have lived here all my life and I have never seen anything like this. We were told that the sewage treatment facility is state of the art and that something went terribly wrong which crippled the plant during heavy rain conditions May 25th to 28th. 
Our dear sweet friend Maria, lost so much. Her friends and I are heartbroken for her. Here are her own words.
3-4' of water in my basement. Was away visiting my Dad. Joan took one for the team and saved our sewing machines! Got it pumped out to 6" last night, but over a foot this am. Had everything in bins to protect my goodies, and they just floated and tipped over.
Thanks everyone. We are still pumping as the water is still coming in! Took a bunch of dry things out and put them in a storage room. Lots of wet stuff into the garbage. Was really worried 















flie

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Saturday when I came out of the grocery store I couldn't believe my eyes. If I didn't know better I would think someone hated me. One bird did that to my car. wow. What a mess!!!
It seems like the weeks have sped by on me. I haven’t posted in the last two months, I should have many things to blog about, but my dear husband has been the main focus of my life as of late. I have never really wanted to be a responsible adult, but now I have no choice. We still makes our daily visits to McDonalds at Walmart. Everyday our circle of friends keeps growing, but that’s what makes Bill’s life more rewarding. Dr. Dhurjon, an Ophthalmologist, ordered a Ultrasound on Bill’s carotid artery, plus an Fluorescein Angiography and Retinal O.C.T. for May 4, 2012 at our local hospital. We will get the results on Monday. In the recent past I started making bags, aprons and mug rugs. I enjoy signing up for Aunt Pity Pat’s Mug Rug Swaps, they are always so interesting, as Forest Gump said, “... you never know what you’re going to git”. Bags, and other small items are fun to make and they aren’t time consuming. My latest Spring Mug Rug Swap was for Sharina in Australia.
My Spring Mug Rug I received from Sharina. Now I can honestly say I have a friend in Australia, and she has a friend in Canada.
The last few weeks Bill has spent most of his time sleeping, so I put my quiet time to good use. I have far too much fabric in my stash, so I decided to give some away and to make some kits. I started with the two packages of charms, one layer cake and two patterns I received from my sweet Nicole for my birthday and Christmas. Heather also gave me fabrics for my birthday. I cut three kits. I had a long “to do list” for many years, so I decided to attack this list with vengeance and get some of the quilts done. Last month I made a quilt for my friend Bill Nelson, my great nephew Teddy McDonald, my grand daughter Kate Maki. I’m working on a pattern for Kate’s sister Jenna, my other grand daughter. I will post the quilts as their owners receive them. I hope the quilts make everyone happy, it’s been my pleasure.
Bill Nelson's Dog and Cat Quilt. Simply Smashing Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting Spring 2012 Designer - Janet Houts Owner Bill Nelson For years I’ve had three different ten inch strips of fabrics, two with cats, one with dogs. I kept them in my stash because I didn’t want to part with them. One fabric had aristocratic cats, the cats are lying on their backs on a velvet heart shaped pillow, the other cats were very scurfy looking, great contrast. The third fabric had a variety of beautiful dogs with the name of their breed. I was able to make a charm pack with these fabrics. I’m constantly looking at quilt magazines while I’m at Walmart McDonalds, having coffee with Bill. I came across the pattern Simply Smashing, designed by Janet Houts, I bought the magazine. I altered the pattern slightly, because my charm pack was a different size than the one used by Janet. I used fabrics from my stash, some came from The Circle of Friends and a few from Fabricland. I quilted the top using Superior Mono Poly clear thread on my new Janome Horzion 7700, but I still ran into trouble with the thread breaking. I am grateful to Heather for finishing my quilting.

Monday, March 26, 2012

March 2012

Maclean's magazine, Candian equivalent to the US Time magazine.

The Canadian winter that never was. In 65 years, we’ve never seen such warm winter days with so little snow;
That our national identity, our culture and our economy are so tied to winter makes what’s happened over the last few months all the more disconcerting. On average, Canada experienced temperatures 3.6° C higher than normal this winter, and 18 per cent less precipitation. This season was, in fact, the third warmest and the second driest in 65 years. Which might not sound so bad except that the last two times it was warmer, in 2009-10 and 2005-06, it was much snowier and wetter. And the last time it was drier, in 1956-57, it was colder. Until now, Canada has never had such hot days with so little snow. “So in many ways,” says David Phillips, senior climatologist at Environment Canada, “this has truly been the year that winter was cancelled.

If interested you may read the full article on line.


http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/03/19/the-winter-that-never-was/


Monday, February 27, 2012

What a difference a Day Makes.

Woke up to this mess. Tom helped me shove my car out of a snow bank, caused by wind and snow.








After all the shovling this is what my car looked like.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

February 26, 2012.

Winter arrrived.

Holy Cow, winter came late this year. This photo of our parking lot was taken a few days ago.
It was like Spring, warm and very little snow, I was all set to put my winter boots away, but the Good Lord said, "I don't think so!".








Today the snow came.
Tonight: Periods of snow. Low 13F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulating 3 to 5 inches.
Here is what it looked like this afternoon.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Bill's Peanuts Quilt.



I mention before Heather gave me eight Peanuts Gang Fat-quarters to make a quilt for Bill.
I chose the pattern Snapshot by Mountainpeek Creations.
I finally finished the quilt this month.


Now Bill Maki and Bill Nelson both have their favourite quilt.


 Northcott.

During a visit to our quilt shop, I found they put some of Northcott's fabrics on sale. Being me I bought far more than I could ever use. I ended up making four quilts and I still had some fabrics left over.




The recipient of this quilt is Mary, Bill's Psychologist. She monitors Bill's progress recovery from his stroke.

We both love her.



The First Two Weeks in February 2012.

Monday February 13th, I woke up to a warm sunny day. The roads were all bare, which is so unusal for us, at this time of the year. Reading the paper I noticed our snow must have landed in Europe by mistake. Bill has had a few health issues since Christmas, I decided to take him for a ride, it improves his disposition. I wanted to kill two birds with one stone, pick up my ordered fabrics and a parcel from the Utah Maki's, and sent two parcels to my kids at the same time. The American Custom's Officer checked the parcels, he asked me if I do this often. My reply was, "When I pick up my fabrics at Ryden's, I like to send something to my grandkids." He told me to go and have a good day. Nicole sent me the skull and roses fabic. The Mexican Folk Art, Day of the Dead, and Our Lady Guadalupe Cotton Fabrics, I ordered on line from Hearts Fabrics. All the other fabrics I use in my quilts come from our local quilt shops. Here's what I bought.

The First Two Weeks in February.














I took a one on one class from Heather to learn how to make a jelly roll apron. February 10th/11th I went to a local retreat and finish the three aprons I made for my six year old Great-grandson, Brady.
I took the photos of the aprons on my designer wall, they look like spiders.