I have a very good reason why I have been absent for almost a year. I actually had forgotten I had a blog, until today when I read someone else's blog. The distant memory of writing a blog came back to me. I even started a bible reading blog and totally forgot that too.
Without further a-due let me tell you about last year.
Summer was fantastic. It was one of the best summers we have had in a long time. The weather was hot and sunny just what I like.
I took advantage of the dry weather to almost finish the landscaping.
I enjoy camping, but as I get older and my bladder no longer last the night. Getting out of the trailer and hiking across the damp lawn, in the dark to either an outhouse or an indoor washroom had become something I did not enjoy. One time there was only a bush to go into as they had locked the public washroom door for the night. 
Not having a shower for the weekend, something else I wasn't fond of.
Now with trailer I can bring my food and cook it on the gas stove. We can even keep ice cream in our freezer. The cooler was good for keeping food almost cold. And the shower, need I say more.
We took the trailer to 3 camping/ motorcycle events and had so much fun hanging out with old and new friends.
In June Angela, Hasan and the kids were able to come to the cottage. Everyone was there except Rich. The middle of July we traveled on our BMW bike to friends in Quebec. Then hopped in their van for a world round motorcycle event and holiday to Rhode Island.
In my spare time I sold pottery at the Huntsville 100k Market. It was the second year for me and a good year. I have signed up for this year too. I did enter a new market in Gravenhurst, unfortunately it wasn't that great. In August I decided to cut my losses leave that event. Apparently half of the vendors had also left.
Some time during our busy summer Liz's Mother-In-Law, Nancy had a family gathering so their family could meet Nathan, born in March. Another fun time with friends and family. This Saturday we are celebrating his first birthday, time flies. 
August 6, our sixth grandchild, Hatcher was born to Angela and Hasan who live in New Brunswick. Hatcher became the little brother to Amir, Hope and Athaiah. In September we drove out east to meet our grandson.Of course enjoyed the other grandkids too.
While we were out east Angela and Hasan put an offer on a house. They lived in a small apartment and with 4 kids so we were stayed at a motel.
What is that saying about 'best laid plans'? When we came home from our daughter's I went to a Christian conference. at the end of September.
My plan was to get back to making pottery and slow down in October.
While at the cottage, Monday September 28, Dave got a phone call that change the course of the following 6 months. His step mother called, barley able to breathe and said the ambulance was taking her to the hospital. She lived 3 hours south of us, near Niagara Falls.
We went to her place Monday evening. Tuesday morning we high-tailed to the hospital where we got a shock.
We had not seen her since May. Dave had called her occasionally during the summer. She had some health issues and we knew she was worried, but she never let on how bad it was.
She had terminal lung cancer, and more. At first we thought she might die before Christmas, then, would she last two weeks, then would she last long enough for Angela to be able to see her. Liz and Rich came on Tuesday. Angela couldn't come until Friday as they were getting the keys to their home on Thursday.
On Thursday morning we weren't sure she'd last the day, but she did. Angela got a new home, next day, with Hatcher she hopped on a plane and got to see her grandmother Friday morning. Friday afternoon Doreen went to sleep and never woke up. Saturday morning she had passed away. She waited long enough to see Angela and meet her newest great grandson. Doreen married Dave's father when our daughters were 6 and 8, so she was their grandmother.
We had the funeral on Tuesday and Angela flew home Tuesday afternoon to get her new house in order.
As funerals go it was a great one. Instead of flowers we decided to display Doreen's quilted wall hangings. Even her friends had no idea how many she had and the quality of them.
During this stressful week we escaped and took the kids to my Dad's, now my brothers farm. In October my brother transforms into a busy pumpkin fun farm.  | |
| Nathan and sister Sarah |
Since October Dave and been traveling the three hours south to clean out Doreen's house and get it ready for sale. Doreen was an awesome quilter and a great shopper. Coming from the depression time she never threw anything out. It was a busy time cleaning out her place. I found 4 unfinished bed quilts of hers. She had made quilt for our daughter's when they got married, but died before she had one for Micheal, Dave's nephew. I finished this quilt for Micheal in time for Dave's sister to take it when she came back from Tokyo to pack her things. We were able to go back out east for Christmas and our entire family came.
Next week we are taking the last load of furniture out east to fill Angela's big house. Last month I finished this quilt for Angela. Doreen had done the quilting part, I only had to put them together and put on a back.
In February Dad had another stroke, as usual he is bouncing, this time crawling back. He is 93.
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| Nancy and I with Nathan and Hatcher after Doreen's funeral. |
We are hoping to have a relaxing next few months, but I don't count my chickens before they are hatched. I did grow up on a chicken farm.
And make the pottery I normally make in the winter.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/70082205/wall-plaque-cross