Thankful for Life Long Friends

Traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio to visit my best friend from high school and her family yesterday. Although the time together was short, it was great to see Anita, Houston and their son, Garrett. Anita's parents, Frank & Carol Wocher were also there! They live in NC so we did not mind driving 2 hours versus the 14 hours it would normally take us to get to their home.

Thanksgiving in Florida

Every year, I try to escpape the holiday "Thanksgiving". It is not because I am not thankful for many things...it is because the meal itself is nothing I like. I am not fond of turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and the like. I do not cook (I can - I just choose not to) and if there were a pill I could pop that would nurish my body and keep my tummy from a growling, I would choose that option. I am not a food lover. I do not get worked up about flavors and aromas. I take the easy way out when it comes to food. The simplier and faster the better.

This year, TJ and I spent the week in Florida. (Todd stayed home to hunt - his preferred way to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday). We had a fabulous time. TJ & I stayed up late, slept in, spent hours in the pool, looked for shells on the beach, spent a day at Busch Gardens and played more than a lifetime of minature golf. Did you know there are 9 putt putt courses in southern Florida?

Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Love, Hef

Helmsin Family

Emma

Evan & April

Had the pleasure today to meet my soon-to-be Godson, Evan. TJ's Godmother, April and her family arrived in Indy today for a quick visit before they continued down to Columbus for the Holiday. Little Emma is beautiful and Evan is a future linebacker (for the Colts of course).

One Hundred Years of Progress

The year is 1908. One hundred years ago. What a difference a century makes!
Here are some statistics for the Year 1908:

The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .
Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health'
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE ! U.S.A. !
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.

Proud to be an American

One of my favorites. I photographed this flag on our trip to Hawaii while visiting Pearl Harbor.

COLTS WIN COLTS WIN

Another on the edge of your seat win. They make me nervous. TJ and I attended the game. I tried a new parking spot today. It was a hike but only $10. Still searching for that perfect location. Following the game, we attended the CKS chess club pizza party. TJ received a nice medal and certificate of participation. Hope everyone has a great week. Hef

Hunting Season

It has officially started. Todd has spent the past several weekends scouting the woods, checking the photos and video on his field cameras and has spent every evening this past week gathering up his hunting equipment and clothes (washing them in detergent so they smell like dirt). I sit back every year and wonder how on earth someone can get so excited about dressing in such drab colors to sit in a tree for hour upon hour with nothing to do but wait. Secretly, I know this is when he catches up on all the sleep he has missed the past 11 months. Anyway, Todd and Aaron are "hunting deer" this weekend. Aaron was in charge of food and cleaning supplies for the camper. Todd was in charge of mice traps and the entertainment. Which I hope does not involve the traps! I heard Todd leave about 4 a.m. as the rain was pouring down. Some women are golf widows.........