We’re moving to NYC!

And started a new blog here.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia (Pat) Mueller on Monday, November 4th at the age of 64.  After a brave and fierce battle with cancer, Pat passed peacefully with her husband and children at her side.

Pat leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Peter, her three children, Philip (Dianne Wilkins) of Calgary, Lisa (Corey Sadlemyer) of Medicine Hat, and Sara (Brett Anhorn) of Calgary; she also leaves her treasured grandchildren, Anna, Thomas (deceased), Kenna, Turner, Nora and Eli. Her family was her life, and she will be so profoundly missed by all of them. Pat was intensely proud and protective of her children, their spouses and her grandchildren, and was forever devoted to their health, happiness, and success.

Her roots in Philadelphia remained strong, and her sister, Ginny (Rick Kremer), along with her nieces Kim and Chris, as well as numerous other special family members and friends there will feel her loss.  In addition, Pat leaves numerous paternal in-laws, nieces and nephews to cherish her memory.  Pat was predeceased by her parents, Howard and Lydia Maier, and her dear grandson, Thomas Mueller.

Pat was born on December 4th, 1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She and her immediate and extended family spent many special summers on the Jersey Shore, and until Pat’s passing, her family and friends there remained a very special part of her life, especially her dear sister, Ginny.

As a member of the Baptist church in her community, she applied for, and was accepted to attend the affiliated Bible College, North American Baptist College in Edmonton, Alberta, studying Business Administration at the young age of 17. It is here where she met, and with her beautiful brown eyes and forever welcoming smile, quickly stole the heart of her beloved and devoted husband, Peter. The two married on April 26th, 1969, and began a journey filled with love, adventure, joy, happiness, and a healthy dose of tears. They remained in Edmonton while Peter completed his schooling, and shortly after relocated to Medicine Hat to start a family. The connections that Pat and Peter established beginning at this time through their churches, communities, and places of employments had a lasting impact on both of them. Many of these relationships have lasted the years, which is testament to Pat’s sincerity and goodness.

While raising her three children, Pat worked at various jobs, and her heart and sole remained focused on nurturing and providing for her children. As her kids grew, she eventually returned to work, and spent over 20 years within School District #76, with most of those years at her special school, CHHS, as a secretary and Students Records Clerk. In a professional setting, people referred to Pat as the ‘glue’ of the school; she was the sunshine greeting people at the start of their day; she was the twinkle that people came to visit throughout their busy schedules, and she was the loving, tender, and happy lady, who eagerly handed out not only smiles, but a generous handful of jujubes to whomever needed a little lift at the time. She loved people, and people easily loved Pat.

Pat’s Mother was a gentle and loving woman, who loved life; she was dutiful, selfless, committed, while also being surprisingly playful, witty, sparkly, spunky, and fun. Pat adored her mother, and embodied all of these traits and more, and her children will proudly aspire to carry on her legacy with these remarkable qualities.

A special place for Pat was her kitchen table, where she fed so many of us literally and metaphorically. People left Pat’s home full- full of her amazing food, and full of her warm and positive energy.

Even at the most difficult of times, Pat still showed her family and her friends that life would simply be better if we all just made the best of whatever situation life had handed us. Her unwavering positive, generous, and earnest caring for others, without ever expecting anything in return, sum up Pat so beautifully.

Pat had a bountiful supply of energy; as a runner, staying strong and healthy, as an entertainer, anticipating every need, and as a Grandmom, actively participating in her grandkids’ adventures.

Pat’s sons-in-law and daughter-in-law continuously celebrated that they’d won the mother-in-law ‘jackpot’. She loved Di, Corey and Brett as though they were her own children. Pat’s accepting, trusting, and loving ways were what allowed the family to grow as close as they are.

She was simply a natural; a natural Wife, Mom, Grandmom, and Friend. Genuine, generous. compassionate, and forgiving.

Her husband remains in awe of her – she didn’t command attention, and yet people were drawn to her. She was fun. She was true. And she was an inspiration.

She will be immensely missed.

A thank you to the special nurses at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital who played an important part in Pat’s care, most notably Brent and Peggy. An additional thank you to Dr. Josh Foley and Dr. Doug Mastel, for their compassionate and committed care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to peloton65.com, a cause that was near to Pat’s heart.

There will be a Celebration of Pat’s life on Saturday, November 9th from 3-5pm at Medalta Pottery (713 Medalta Ave SE, Medicine Hat). Guests are asked to dress comfortably, as though you were going for a visit at Pat’s house.

Pat’s famous chocolate chip cookie recipe can be found here.

I don’t know where to start, what to say or what to do… but I’ll always remember you this way.

We are really going to miss you.

“Down the middle drops one more
Grain of sand
They say that
New life makes losing life easier to understand
Words are kind
They help ease the mind
I’ll miss my old friend
And though you gotta go
We’ll keep a piece of your soul
One goes out
One comes in”

Cookies will never be the same.

What an ad!  Love it.  Anyway, we’re off to greener pastures as of the end of this month.  From Altadore to Wentworth, though still in Calgary.  The kids are growing like weeds and Eli said his first real word.  It wasn’t mom, dad, Nora or puppy.  It was “cheers”.  Maybe we drink too much!? 😉

-Brett

Boltski and Rose tied the knot last night  and we were there for the celebration.  It was a stellar ceremony and reception.  Congrats, guys!

Here is a copy of my best man speech, for anyone interested.  It was way harder to write than I thought it would be…  This link helped me out immensely.

Good evening, everyone. For those of you who don’t know who I am, I’m Brett, the best man. And before I say anything else, I’d like us all to take a moment to appreciate and thank Jodine, Rob, Ruth and Reg for what has been thus far, a wonderful celebration on such a special occasion.

I’m just going to share two quick stories with you… about why Jeff is #1 in my books and why he and Rose are perfect together.

Jeff and I have known each other since I was 16 days old. Really. 16 days old. Having said that, I don’t think I really got to know him until we were probably about 5 or 6… months old. By then, we both knew that that we would be best friends for life, or at the very least, compatriots in idiocy.

Jeff is probably the most trusting and trustworthy person I’ve ever met. A specific memory comes to mind, of a game we invented, using a Fischer-Price baseball bat. We couldn’t have been more than 6 or 7 at the time and decided that we would test each other’s resolve by swinging the bat as close to the other’s face as we could get without actually hitting them. What an awesome idea! Sadly, Jeff trusted me more than I did him and his nose hasn’t been the same since! I know it’s probably about 30 years late, but I’m really sorry about your nose, Jeff.

I knew something was different with Rose when Jeff asked me to take a picture of him holding my 6 month old daughter, so he could send it to her while she was living in Vancouver. They weren’t even dating yet and I thought he was crazy to be sending it to her… talk about creepy! Though he had a beer in one hand, a slice of pizza in the other and a baby balanced precariously in between, he trusted Rose to see him for what he truly is: A gentle, caring, fun loving, optimistic, friendly and genuine guy. Rose, take care of Boltski!

For us, the deal was sealed when we were speaking to my daughter Nora about “Uncle Jeff” and Rose visiting in Calgary. Upon their arrival, Nora immediately took a shining to Rose and bestowed upon her the title of “Uncle Rose” to accompany her special “Uncle Jeff”. When Jeff finally introduced us to you, we were absolutely relieved and of course, very happy! Rose, you’re a kind, warm, natural and loving person. Jeff, you treat her right!

A famous American author, Mignon McLaughlin, once wrote:

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times; always with the same person.”

Please join me in proposing a toast to “Uncle Jeff” and “Uncle Rose”: May you fall in love with each other many, many times.

We’re back from Eli’s first trip out to Philly and we had a wonderful time!  We’re looking forward to our next meeting in Montana, 2013, should the stars align. 🙂

Click here to see the shots from our trip.

We were forced to say goodbye to Rich five years ago, today.  We did some baking and sipped some champers at work, in his honour.  We miss you, Richard.

-Muellhorns

8 lbs 7 ounce healthy baby boy. Born at 13:15 after 2 hours and 53 minutes of labour. Mom and baby are doing well!

Hair done. Toes getting done. Then, bring in the tanker!

My last post on the old site was the birth of our daughter Nora.  Our second post on here will be about “Tank”.  That’s his working title, much to Sara’s dismay.

Tank should arrive around September 12th, 2011.  I’ll still be recovering from spine surgery, but should be in a good spot to take care of Nora while Sara looks after the little guy.

Pearson is going to be mad.

-Brett