Sarah The Cutie Pie

I interrupt this regularly scheduled blogcation with a quick Happy Birthday wish!
Sarah, happy 2nd birthday!!
We love and miss you.

Now back to the break.

Hitting it, Jack.

As much as this pains me, I feel it is a necessity. Yep, another case of poor time management hits again! Instead of doing a whole bunch of entries to post when I will not be around, I am now officially out of time and must take a blogcation for the next week or so. I am just finishing an all-nighter in an attempt to complete a special project that I'm taking with me to branding at our family cattle ranch. Did that make sense? Probably not. It turns out the human mind really does require sleep to function properly. Oh, we also have great friends from Boston in town for the next two weeks. Washing sheets, vacuuming, and doing laundry won out over posting today.

I have so much unfinished business. I wanted to tell you about Poncho's new home, our meeting with a code enforcement officer (who was really quite kind), and our newest super volunteer. I guess it will all have to wait.

Happy, safe week to all of you. Thanks for stopping by.

P & L

There is something special going on between these two. Any guesses?

Hope you're having a fun weekend.

Toots Settles In

Thursday late morning Tootsie, our newly acquired mare, began pacing in the pen. The evening before she had been moved from the catch pen close to most of the geldings and put in another pen. She clearly was upset being separated from the other horses. She walked back and forth so much we started fearing she was going to overheat. Leah, our new super volunteer (post for another day! LOVE her!) suggested we put her in the pen with Flame and Black, two of our older gentleman. Max and I had considered this idea even before we brought Toots back but were not sure if she would harm herself and/or Flame if she was still in heat. (Black is getting a little R & R at Steph's house while he recovers from that nasty tooth infection.) What we were doing wasn't working, so it was time to move on.


Toots was brought over the the new pen and then given a sponge ice bath by three adoring girls.



Toots seemed to thoroughly enjoy the loving.

Kelsey, a regular at GG, watched the fun and seemed to enjoy herself as well. She has been itching to ride Toots, but we have not allowed it because the horse has been um, adjusting.

We determined that Toots was now calm enough to let Kelsey in on the bath action.

When Leah thought Toots had all the wiping she could enjoy for the day, she poured the remainder of the ice water on her. That horse is so gentle and calm, she didn't even move.

The rest of the afternoon and into the evening Toots was relaxed and happy. I guess just being near (they're separated by a fence) another horse settled her down. I know all you horse people out there would probably know that--we're just not well versed in the mare phenomenon. Flame seems a very good companion. At his former home, he lived with two mares and he loved Cheyenne, the other mare we used to have. (Side note--Flame is a rock star horse this year and we're so grateful for him!)

When Max was at the ranch today he saw a very content mare who let him love all over her. I wish you all could see just how sweet she is.

Now the crazy part of this blog. We were all surprised to see Toots pick through her food and eat the stems but leave the leaves. Really?? All other 12 horses do it completely opposite. Another mare thing? Steph, our neighbor, said she has never seen a horse do that. Do any of your horses do the same? (Ginger, did she do this with you guys?)The truly cool thing about this scenario is that both Black and Flame eat only the leaves and discard the stems! Win/win! Waste not! Yin and Yang. Old sock for every old shoe. Jack Sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean. Am I missing any? Max said between Flame and Toots, it all looked nice and clean.

I think Toots was destined to live at Galloping Grace, and I can't wait to see if I'm right. One thing's for sure, she's no longer bored!

Wink Away Now

At the end of my last post I promised multiple subjects for this evening. I got to thinking, do you really need more after what I'm about to show you?


I did warn that this post might not be appropriate for younger readers. Now I'm going to say it isn't--appropriate that is. I'm sure I'll let my older children read, but only because they saw it in person. If you get easily offended or do not want to be let down by my childish posting, please stop reading now. I'd hate for you to think less of me. I'm a pleaser after all!


Giving you a little more time to stop. I'm nice like that.


Some of you might recall our strict NO MARES policy. If policies are made, they can be broken, right? So we meet the sweetest horse the other night and bring her back to GG. We love Toots already. She is calm and gentle. I wondered for a few brief seconds if she was too calm. Hee hee. Funny thing for me to wonder because I'm all about the nearly done older animals for children. She spends her first night in the arena because it was dark and we didn't want to leave her near the other horses. When Max gets there in the morning she is relaxed, happy, and friendly. He then moves her to a little catch pen by the other horses to spend the day acclimating. That is when the fun began.


B Houdini (formally known as Buff) and Shorty were mesmerized. So were most of the other horses. There was just something about her that they really liked. Only minutes after her arrival, Max discovered what it was. She was in MAJOR heat! Max couldn't believe it. He specifically checked before taking her over and saw no signs.

For a horse I thought was very calm, she became a flirting animal--literally!

She spent the entire day at the fence teasing them with her scent. You can see in the above picture how "it" was running down her legs. The males were all riled up, kicking and screaming--all probably trying to impress the new beauty on campus.

I'm not being too gross, am I?

You ready for the winking? I realize a lot of you horse owners know all about this. This is for my readers who are in the dark about this issue, just like I was yesterday morning before my nature lesson.

She opened and closed, opened and closed. It was a sight to see. Perhaps she was excited to be around other horses again. I wonder if she could tell that none of them were even capable of getting the job done right. The only stud we have on the premises is Poncho, the miniature. The rest were gelded years ago.

I think somewhere in their missing parts area was a memory, an instinct, a longing.

There were some humans standing around snickering as I snapped these shots. I knew, in my heart of hearts, than YOU would want me in there collecting all the facts for this post. I would never want to short change my loyal readers.

Cochise had us all laughing with the faces he was making. He did that thing with his mouth they usually do when you find the perfect scratching spot on their bellies.

He would take a whiff

and do it over and over again!

Toots is definitely loved by the equines and humans alike.

Things did calm down the second part of today. Perhaps I'll show that to you tomorrow.

Ginger (Tootsie's owner), we're not giving up on her yet. We love her to pieces and want this to work. We'll see what this weekend brings.

Tootsie's In The House

I got a call on Monday from a lady named Ginger. She heard about GG from Karen and Larry, the sweet people who donated Flame. She wanted to possibly donate a horse to us. The problem--her horse is a mare. We have adopted a no mare policy because of the issues we had in the past. Max's motto, "Women are trouble." Please note he doesn't mean this in the slightest.

As I talked to Ginger, she made it clear that her horse was excellent for children, even being used in the past for hippotheaphy. How could we not take a looky (with our trailer in tow.) We drove up into the mountains to see this little beauty.


This girl is Isabel, 7 years old. Even though we were looking to take her horse away, she was still all smiles. So was Abbi, her nine year old sister. Apparently Ginger explained that their horse would get a lot of love and attention if we were to take her. The girls were sad, but they looked like they truly wanted what was best. Such maturity, huh?Here is Claire leading Toots, or Tootsie for long, around a bit. Test number one passed with flying colors. She was very responsive to Claire and stopped when Claire stopped. Brooke was up next with a little ride through their field. Does the look on Brooke's face tell you anything? She loved Toots right away. .

For not being ridden much in the last few years, she did great. She was a little barn sour but got over it once she was taken out a ways Besides Ginger, Abbi, and Isabel being very friendly, they also had four super sweet dogs. Two were especially fond of Grant. He was smothered in doggie kisses.
After Garrett took a little spin on Tootsie, he made himself at home shooting some hoops.

The kids, Max and I (a little) messed all around Tootsie's face, hooves, etc. Max said that was one of the most quiet/gentle horses he has ever been around. She is not head shy in the slightest. Also, she let the children all jump on bareback without moving a muscle.

Isabel got on her horse for one last ride. It broke my heart a bit.
Then it was mom's turn. Around this time I couldn't believe these sweet ladies were willing to part with their awesome horse! I'm telling you--we're so blessed!

I had the girls pose for a last picture with Tootsie before we hauled her away. Now the trailer test. Max leaned over to Tootsie and said, "If you load easily I really love you."

Tootsie smelled the trailer and the mysterious aroma of bovine feces,

and then hopped right in with her stiff little legs! What an angel.

The Wade children couldn't help but make themselves at home a little more before leaving.

And this what we saw as we drove off. . .

generous little girls with gigantic hearts!

When we made it back to the ranch, Tootsie was put in a round pen for the night. My mom, our friend Nancy, and Trish met us there to see the newest member to the family. Like I mentioned in last night's post, we were all smitten. Tootsie didn't seem to care she was in a strange new place with unfamiliar humans all around her. She let us pet and love all over her. Brooke and Trish both jumped on her bareback as she munched her hay. Again, she didn't move a muscle.

Thanks so much, Ginger, Abbi, and Isabel. We have a feeling your gift with touch many children's hearts!

There is quite a story once she was penned close to the geldings. I'll leave that for tomorrow night.  That post will probably not be G rated. What can I say--it's nature.

Also up tomorrow--a meeting with a Rio Rancho official, a child nearly passing out from heat exhaustion, and some sad/exciting news! Never a dull day at GGYR.

Look At Toots

Please read in your best Bostonian voice.  (Out loud or in your head, it's all the same to me.)

We're off to see about a horse. . .

Update:

First off, did anyone even get the line above?  Just checking to see if I have any other soul mates out there.  

Now to business.  Now to beautiful equine calm gentle business!  

Is it possible for Trish, Brooke, Claire, my mom, our friend Nancy, Max and me to fall in love with a horse we've only known for a couple hours?  A horse so sweet and quiet that it allows a child to sit on its back in the dark while eating while standing in a foreign round pen while a three year old shines a flash light all around it.

We think it is.  

Can't wait to share the good news when I have more energy.  (Our poor children are eating their dinner at 10:45!) Late night, but a great one.  Check back to see our new cutie pie. 

We're blessed, blessed, blessed!!! 

Clarification

In a post below titled "Long Lost Bros?" I wanted to make sure you all were clear about what I was asking.  

Take Max out of the equation.  I was just wondering if you thought the OTHER two guys looked like each other.  I think some of you were thinking I was talking about Max some how--not the case at all.  

Now I can move on with my life.  

Gotta Love A Grant!

From the letter:

Cardinal Health Foundation

July 2, 2009

Mrs. Trish K****
Treasurer
Galloping Grace Youth Ranch
PO Box 44186
Rio Rancho, NM 87174

Dear Mrs. K******:

On behalf of the Central Health Foundation, I am pleased to present you with the enclosed check number 2148 in the amount of $250. This grant is in recognition of Barbara S****'s involvement in your organization. These funds should be utilized for general support, and neither Cardinal Health nor the Cardinal Health Foundation, or any employees of these organizations, may receive any goods or services in exchange for this contribution.

We appreciate the good work that your organization is doing, and the Cardinal Health Foundation is pleased to support your efforts. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 614-757-6545 if you have any questions.

Best Wishes,

Kelly Stover
Senior Specialist, Community Relations

I guess it pays to know Ms. Barb!  Thanks so much Cardinal Health Care and Barb S.!!  

Weekend Update

This weekend was a big cleaning at our family cattle ranch.  Freezers were defrosted (imagine big pots of boiling water and prying rock hard meat out of solid ice) and cleaned out, cabinets and closets were organized, drawers stocked, windows washed.  Our big annual branding is just around the corner.  The last couple years has meant 175-200 people attending the dusty fun.  Trish, Beth (sis-in-law), Roy (bro-in-law), Max, kids, and I went to town sweeping and scrubbing so as not to embarrass ourselves when the company arrives.  It should stay clean for all of 15 minutes.  

Cindy and family, thanks so much for feeding the GG horses this weekend while we were gone.  What a huge help.  Steph, thanks for taking Black to your place for the weekend.  (Black has an infected tooth and requires medication and cleaning every day.)  Deborah--thanks for helping out.

Renee and Tim--thanks again for working Saturday.  I heard that everything was great.  It's so nice to know we can leave things in such capable hands.  

I hope your weekend as just as productive as ours was.  

Cute Little Buttons

I'm pretty sure I just found two very cute child combinations to grace the cover of the next Girl Scouts' magazine.
 Saturday Smiles Sailing Straight to you.  

Tim and Renee, thanks for holding weekend sessions today.  I know the children appreciate your time.

A Parade To Remember

I thought you might enjoy some scenes from our Fourth of July get away to Ouray, Silverton, and Ridgway (not a spelling error--just how they spell the name), Colorado. If you've never seen that part of the country, you should give it a looky. Gorgeous!

On the 4th we attended a parade in Ouray. What a blast and splash it was! I've never experienced a parade set in a small, picturesque setting. See the jet(?) flying over the mountain? I got so choked up shortly after it started, that tears started streaming down my face. I know, I know--silly. It was just one of those things for me. I could feel their small town pride. I felt caught up in the patriotic sentiments seen all around us.

Slug Bug!! Loved the truck.

The children (and Max and Chase) were relentless with their water guns. There were a few drivers giving dirty looks and asking people not to squirt them. My mature husband and Trish's mature husband took that as an open invitation to fire away. Their logic? Well, you don't enter a parade that is known for the water fun and expect not to get wet.

I must admit some were inappropriately dressed! But most looked great!

Just because the kids and I were amazed at the size of this leaf.--you'd think we were in Texas.
Water fights erupted all over the place. Good times. . .good times indeed!
After the parade we headed to the local park. In case anyone is wondering, Brooke can still take her brother in a foot race--at least for one more year.
Yes, yes--I should have removed my sunglasses for this photo. You get the idea without the wrinkles--win win solution.
We had such a wonderful vacation. More to come on the amazing people who made this possible for us.