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