I have planned to sit down--actually I'm doing that lots lately--and write about all the things that are going on here. However, with helping Grandma, doctor, visiting nurse, and PT visits, getting ready to visit Melanie this weekend, and getting Grandma and Dad ready to survive alone, plus some intestinal bug (for 5 days and I'm trying so hard to make sure no one else gets it), when I do sit down I don't want to do anything useful.
Rather than catch up an all the past, I'll tell you about last night. I hurried outside to get a couple of tomatoes to add to my stew, and was amazed at how cold it felt. I decided to go back in and get a container and pick the ripe ones so I could dry a few more in my new food dryer Emily gave me. {Yeah Emily!} While in, I asked Dad doing Seminary stuff on the computer to look up the temp. tonight. There it, was a forecast for a possible frost. I stopped supper prep and Dad helped me before it got too much darker to get things covered. After the tomatoes were well covered I decided I would try to cover my beans out in the back garden since they were just starting to really produce. Dad carried out his big tarp to put over the trelluse, and he got there before I did and yelled "Too late!" I could hardly take it in. Nothing else was frozen in front, but out there all the more frost sensitive were nipped. Maybe it was worse because it was a little dry.
Can you believe that on the first day of official Fall we had already had a little frost? How unfair when we had such a hard hail and everything was just recovering. I picked just enough beans for the 3 of us from what wasn't frozen underneath and left the garden to fend for its self.
After dinner, we brought in the more delicate pots from around the outside of the house. Dad built our first fire of the season, and we were toasty warm. This morning I had to start the furnace, because it's pretty cloudy and we won't get much free heat and I don't have time to feed a fire.
I did see a couple of trees yesterday that had started to get really pretty, I guess everything but me is getting on with the season. I hadn't even started getting my pots ready to bring in. I just put them in the front entryway because I haven't washed off the bugs or anything yet. Maybe Dad can put them out again latter when it warms up. It's supposed to warm up by early next week. After I get back I can start washing and spraying to have them ready by the next time it gets this cold. I also need to plant my winter seeds sometime soon. They should have gone in way sooner. So much for gardening in NM.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Fair Trip
Our Fair Trip
We had such a good time at the Idaho Helm house and at the fair. We were especially glad that Emily got to join us.
On Monday July 3rd, we, Grandma, Angela, Thorpe, Dad and I traveled in the Pickup with the trailer to Uncle Sid and Aunt Susan's where we left Grandma. Unfortunately we left late, traveled slower and got there just before midnight. I imagine it was pretty hard for Grandma, but we couldn't find anyway to get her comfortable here. We traveled on to a camp sight almost where 215 joins the freeway again. A little oily smell once, but a nice clean new place. Next day we traveled on to Melba and immediately to the rodeo. I haven't been for years and it was fun. I think Angela liked it best, and really appreciated Nathans explanations. They had a great place for the wheelchair and family could sit with her. Emily was able to join us Thursday evening.
This fair was not hot and dusty, a real change. We actually enjoyed the rain and had to buy jackets for those who forgot (not me) but I ended up with one of the new jackets anyway!
We ate "fair food," (Nathan has a friend who makes fabulous prime rib sandwiches and pork BBQ) saw all the exhibits, enjoyed the animals, saw the many great entry's from the Helm household, played with the kids and watched the pig events. It was great. In a small town farming and ranching community it is really family oriented and that makes me feel reassured for our future.
We also did Golden Coral, one night, and pizza another. We even had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then a really tasty Sunday dinner that Neita made. All together we ate too much and had so much fun.
The kids did really well with their pigs and we were happy for them. In fact they had quite a few pretty impressive entries. Of course Neita always does! Bailey's photo (Judges choice), and Annaliese's jam got big fancy ribbons as did some of the other things that I can't remember.
Because it was rainy and darker than in the past all my pictures are either dark or blurry or both. Infact I have never had so many unusable pictures. There are a few of Joel though that are worth sharing!
It's hard to drink your pop when you are all tired out.
We had such a good time at the Idaho Helm house and at the fair. We were especially glad that Emily got to join us.
On Monday July 3rd, we, Grandma, Angela, Thorpe, Dad and I traveled in the Pickup with the trailer to Uncle Sid and Aunt Susan's where we left Grandma. Unfortunately we left late, traveled slower and got there just before midnight. I imagine it was pretty hard for Grandma, but we couldn't find anyway to get her comfortable here. We traveled on to a camp sight almost where 215 joins the freeway again. A little oily smell once, but a nice clean new place. Next day we traveled on to Melba and immediately to the rodeo. I haven't been for years and it was fun. I think Angela liked it best, and really appreciated Nathans explanations. They had a great place for the wheelchair and family could sit with her. Emily was able to join us Thursday evening.
This fair was not hot and dusty, a real change. We actually enjoyed the rain and had to buy jackets for those who forgot (not me) but I ended up with one of the new jackets anyway!
We ate "fair food," (Nathan has a friend who makes fabulous prime rib sandwiches and pork BBQ) saw all the exhibits, enjoyed the animals, saw the many great entry's from the Helm household, played with the kids and watched the pig events. It was great. In a small town farming and ranching community it is really family oriented and that makes me feel reassured for our future.
We also did Golden Coral, one night, and pizza another. We even had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then a really tasty Sunday dinner that Neita made. All together we ate too much and had so much fun.
The kids did really well with their pigs and we were happy for them. In fact they had quite a few pretty impressive entries. Of course Neita always does! Bailey's photo (Judges choice), and Annaliese's jam got big fancy ribbons as did some of the other things that I can't remember.
Because it was rainy and darker than in the past all my pictures are either dark or blurry or both. Infact I have never had so many unusable pictures. There are a few of Joel though that are worth sharing!
It's hard to drink your pop when you are all tired out.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
This will not be in order of happening, but important things first.
Tuesday evening Grandma was having a lot of stomach pain, so we took her to the emergency room. And there we waited an hour--again. They decided that she had a bladder infection, and to keep her overnight to make sure about the pain. We had her admitted and tucked in by 2:30 AM Wed. morning. I got home and to bed just before 3:30 AM. I was back at the hospital that morning by 9:30 AM. Needless to say, I was less cognisant so most of you weren't notified. I came home for a good supper that Angela had made and then Dad and I went back for an hour to make sure she was settled down for the night. She was so very confused being sick, some pain and out of her usual suroundings and pattern of life. She wasn't sure when she looked at the clock if it was morning or evening. When we mentioned taking her home, she wanted to to know where that was.
After one more round of IV antibiotics they let her come home today, Thursday, a little after lunch. They had decided that her pain was related to irritation caused by the infection that was slowing her digestive tract. She was loaded with gas and so is still having pain as is moves around.
She is happy to be home, but wishing everything was good. We hope to be able to catch up on a little sleep.
Tuesday evening Grandma was having a lot of stomach pain, so we took her to the emergency room. And there we waited an hour--again. They decided that she had a bladder infection, and to keep her overnight to make sure about the pain. We had her admitted and tucked in by 2:30 AM Wed. morning. I got home and to bed just before 3:30 AM. I was back at the hospital that morning by 9:30 AM. Needless to say, I was less cognisant so most of you weren't notified. I came home for a good supper that Angela had made and then Dad and I went back for an hour to make sure she was settled down for the night. She was so very confused being sick, some pain and out of her usual suroundings and pattern of life. She wasn't sure when she looked at the clock if it was morning or evening. When we mentioned taking her home, she wanted to to know where that was.
After one more round of IV antibiotics they let her come home today, Thursday, a little after lunch. They had decided that her pain was related to irritation caused by the infection that was slowing her digestive tract. She was loaded with gas and so is still having pain as is moves around.
She is happy to be home, but wishing everything was good. We hope to be able to catch up on a little sleep.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Hail and more Hail
I'm still learning on the photo thing, maybe it will get better?
Thursday afternoon Angela got me up from a short rest and said that the weather was reporting a hail emergency. We rushed out with beach towels, and old rugs to cover the tomatoes. It was pouring rain with a few small hail stones I thought about trying to cover some of the things in the back vegetable garden, but by then the hail was coming hard and fast and was about the size of my thumb nail. Too much for me to brave. It just kept on hailing and pouring rain. Here are some pictures of the happening and then the resulting damage.
The first one "Coming down "
Out Back Toppled Tomatoes
zucchini leaves now look like watermelon. Standing in the hail trying to fix tomatoes!
Piles from off the roof.
cransbill geranium and other things smashed
We are waiting to see what will recover.
I'm still learning on the photo thing, maybe it will get better?
Thursday afternoon Angela got me up from a short rest and said that the weather was reporting a hail emergency. We rushed out with beach towels, and old rugs to cover the tomatoes. It was pouring rain with a few small hail stones I thought about trying to cover some of the things in the back vegetable garden, but by then the hail was coming hard and fast and was about the size of my thumb nail. Too much for me to brave. It just kept on hailing and pouring rain. Here are some pictures of the happening and then the resulting damage.
The first one "Coming down "
Out Back Toppled Tomatoes
zucchini leaves now look like watermelon. Standing in the hail trying to fix tomatoes!
Piles from off the roof.
cransbill geranium and other things smashed
We are waiting to see what will recover.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Santa Fe, Tea and Birthday Party
The Jenny, Tom and family arrived Mon. July 20th. We had such a fun time I forgot to take pictures of all the things we did. Tom had to fly home and work the next day, but the rest of his family seemed to have fun relaxing and doing the usual Helm HQ things.
We spent a day checking out some of the sights of Santa Fe. The kids hadn't been there in a long time. I forgot my camera so phone pictures have to do. We checked out the Basilica
Dad and Jacob liked looking at the ceiling. We Checked out the local cowboys.
Then ate at Tomasitas.
We had the usual fire and wiener roast with s'mores and that was fun.
The other thing I have pictures of is the tea party which is an important part of visiting Grandma. There were costumes appropriate titled names and lots of good food.
Most important of all we celebrated Jacob's birthday with cupcakes he had creatively decorated with sprinkles!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I have decided to try out blogging for myself. I'm not sure I can keep it up regularly. We don't do many interesting things, and I really doubt I can get Dad interested in helping out. Mostly I have wanted a way to share some of the things that make us happy. Maybe some other emotional conditions will be included but I prefer to stick with the happy stuff. Since this is Helm HQ it would be nice if it was written as we, but for now it will probably be written as "I" and sometimes as we with the understanding that I have to take responsibility for the content. I guess I could change the name to something to do with being Grandma to the worlds best and brightest or some such thing.
The Helm Family Reunion was a complete success on our book. We just wish we could have spent more time with each of you. We so appreciate all that Jared and Amy did to make it so fun, and for all of you for your participation and company! The food was too good--unfortunately there was more of us to came home. Emily, thanks for the shirts, I have worn mine and will continue. I have plenty of stuff to match.
I picked my first ripe tomato last night. I'm waiting for Dad and Grandma before I slice it. It's really hard to wait and to share, but I'm being noble! My vines are huge, and not loaded, but there are quite a few tomatoes in ripening stages, even if Dad can't see them. The plants are loaded with blossoms right now and if everything keeps going as it should we will have all we can eat and then some.
Next, we have had some really hot weather, for us---I know Melanie, it never gets really hot here, but it is hotter than we like and sometimes smoky with a fire in the Bandelier back country they expect to burn for most of the summer. Makes it hard to cool off. So, Dad called and we had a Mr. Smith come over and give us an estimate on cooling. (He did Fay's house and Freestones.) Because we didn't have a real preference on refrigerated air or swamp cooler he gave us a number of options and priced them all out. Now we have to decide. There really isn't that much difference, just a few pluses and minuses to each. However, when next you visit, it may be easier to cool off!
My eight Primary cherubs have been invited to our house for a wiener roast and S'mores on Friday, so if you are in the area join us. It should be fun, but with my group a bit wild. We'd love to have you all here to a family wiener roast. Couldn't you all just drop in?
We got the trailer uncovered and Dad hitched it up to his "Big Truck". We needed to turn it around and get it cleaned and ready. Of course we had to take it around the block to see how it pulled and Dad was suitably impressed. Backing it back in was a problem. The truck handles it alright, in fact as good or better than the van, but the possibility of one of the tree branches scratching the still perfect paint was enough to make Dad want to cut them all down! Fortunately no damage occurred. Now if we can just get to use it
The Helm Family Reunion was a complete success on our book. We just wish we could have spent more time with each of you. We so appreciate all that Jared and Amy did to make it so fun, and for all of you for your participation and company! The food was too good--unfortunately there was more of us to came home. Emily, thanks for the shirts, I have worn mine and will continue. I have plenty of stuff to match.
I picked my first ripe tomato last night. I'm waiting for Dad and Grandma before I slice it. It's really hard to wait and to share, but I'm being noble! My vines are huge, and not loaded, but there are quite a few tomatoes in ripening stages, even if Dad can't see them. The plants are loaded with blossoms right now and if everything keeps going as it should we will have all we can eat and then some.
Next, we have had some really hot weather, for us---I know Melanie, it never gets really hot here, but it is hotter than we like and sometimes smoky with a fire in the Bandelier back country they expect to burn for most of the summer. Makes it hard to cool off. So, Dad called and we had a Mr. Smith come over and give us an estimate on cooling. (He did Fay's house and Freestones.) Because we didn't have a real preference on refrigerated air or swamp cooler he gave us a number of options and priced them all out. Now we have to decide. There really isn't that much difference, just a few pluses and minuses to each. However, when next you visit, it may be easier to cool off!
My eight Primary cherubs have been invited to our house for a wiener roast and S'mores on Friday, so if you are in the area join us. It should be fun, but with my group a bit wild. We'd love to have you all here to a family wiener roast. Couldn't you all just drop in?
We got the trailer uncovered and Dad hitched it up to his "Big Truck". We needed to turn it around and get it cleaned and ready. Of course we had to take it around the block to see how it pulled and Dad was suitably impressed. Backing it back in was a problem. The truck handles it alright, in fact as good or better than the van, but the possibility of one of the tree branches scratching the still perfect paint was enough to make Dad want to cut them all down! Fortunately no damage occurred. Now if we can just get to use it
Monday, July 6, 2009
Showing Mom how to do a blog
Here is Emily looking cute.
Here is Emily and Melanie and Aaron in the back of the car as we traveled.
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