This Happened When?

A couple months ago I started a series called So I never told you about. . . to showcase forgotten stories in GGYR land. Days pass. Months pass. People don't get thanked or happenings don't get reported. What does it say about me that I forgot to do my feature postings about things I forgot?


Don't answer that.

Back in October, I found myself without a camera for a few days. It was trecherous. Luckily, my daughter let me borrow hers for one of the trips out to pick more pumpkins.

This particular day, we had a bare-bones crew. We were so very grateful to the few souls that could make it. The two boys to the right were off school for the day. Instead of playing video games or eating greasy items, the spent their entire day helping us. Thank you so much, Dylan and Carlos!You were a huge help! And this family. . .

Thank you!! Jonathon, Benjamin, Robin and Zachary, you were incredible!

Since they home school, Robin assigned helping us as one of their field trips. This isn't the first time we've benefitted from this family's serving ways.

The rest of the crew helping that day?

Max was there flailing his arms around, bossing the rest of us. What does that guy do anyway? I mean really. I was down on the ground picking up pumpkin after pumpkin while he was waving to the crowd. Max, this was not a parade.

And Trish was trying to stay cool in the truck. That's code for Michelle, get all the pumpkins yourself. I'm busy trying to tune this radio. Clever. And you all thought Trish was helpful.
OK, if I'm being honest, Max and Trish might have helped a tad at the second farm. From there, we carried huge beastly pumpkins back to the truck. As I always say, my college degree at work.

Thanks to all our pumpkin pals! We honestly could not have done it without you.

Happy Birthday to Zack and Regina. I hope you both had a great day. Also, Happy Birthday to Justin. Love you guys.

I have a post mostly finished. Unfortunately, I am out of steam for today. I'll try to post in the morn.

Well phooey--I have a field trip this morn. Perhaps later?!

Put Your Hands Up

Many of you volunteers might have received an email from Trish explaining our new policy regarding background checks. Because we work with children, we feel it is a necessity. We are doing this as a formality since we are fairly positive everyone will pass with flying colors.

Well, most everyone.

Be safe out there, people.

Land of Enchantment

And home to the Griswolds!

The 2010 Wade Family Camping tour has begun.

This weekend marked our inaugural trip in our new tent on wheels. Thanks to a good deal offered by Tim and Barb, we purchased their pop up trailer early this week. In Max's mind that naturally meant we needed to go camping to try it out. Gale force winds? Freezing conditions? Big whoop. To the mountains we went.

Max (and I) has always been a tent guy. Trailers were not for him. In fact, if you gave him a sleeping bag and a tarp, and he was ready to face the great outdoors. Last summer we camped out in our family tent. It wasn't until the thing was set up did we realize the zipper was broken. We had various insects sleeping with us all night. The biggest frustration was probably the amount of "stuff" on the tent floor. Max figured he could swallow his manly camping pride and try something different--something that might make camping easier for our family of six.

You know, the pop up was a real treat! It is amazing the amount of room in those things once they POP. I loved the warmth in provided. After all, who wants to sit out in blowing wind? Oh yeah, Max. They guy is a nut.

Tim is no better. He followed us out Saturday morning to hang for a bit and see another family take over his home away from home. He handled it like a man. He was also kind enough to help the family gather firewood as I bravely sat outside under a blanket.

We are blessed to have volunteers like DeAnn willing to feed so we can take off like this. Thanks to her. Also thanks to Mike and Steph who always watch the ranch when we are not around. The kid and their mama hanging out at the Continental Divide.

(I'm fighting with Blogger right now. It wants to center my text and put the photos to the left! Ahhh. When I click over to Html mode, I almost start crying. How do people read that chicken scratch?! )

For those living else where, some pics of the beautiful NM landscape. Not a bad view for our drive home.

Happy new week to all of you.

Lending A Hand

Last night I showed you the individuals who were a little feisty on Saturday morning. Here, a sampling of the kind variety.

Nice turn out. Women not afraid to work. This family met us at the pumpkin stand. They came out with two little ones--the smaller child rode on Dad's back the whole time. Imagine my guilt watching this father while I just walked around taking pictures.
Lunch break for the little ladies.
I included this shot because I wanted you to admire Don's nice form as he threw that heavy board/concrete ball in the dumpster.
Is there a sight more beautiful than children scooping poop?
One of Becky's plants survived the winter. She was so excited.
Grandmother and grandson scooping together. Bonding at its best.
Horses relaxed enough to lie down while random folks walked around.
Moms out working with their daughters.
Horses getting love from their fans.

Serving hearts.


Children taking a break from trash duty to investigate a scorpion and a lizard.

My daughter--

I'll never understand why she acts this way. Great friends hanging out and telling lies when it was all over.
A very happy day!

Thanks to all who helped. People like you make GGYR possible!

Happy Birthday to my dad! Also, Happy Birthday to our friend Deszarae. Hope you both had a nice day.

Rude People

Saturday morning's clean up went very well. For the most part, volunteers were pleasant and helpful. However, we had a few rude people on our hands. Let me explain.

My duties were very daunting. I had to do my best capturing digital images of all the participants. I know, tough work. Wouldn't you know two of the first people I tried photographing were all about their holes they had to dig. They could have cared less the difficulties I was experiencing. Chase and Nick can be like that. Dig, dig, dig. Don't mind me. It's fun taking pictures of your faces staring at the ground. Dig some more. Sheesh. That Misha girl was no better. Instead of assisting me with my journalistic duties as I so kindly requested, she spent at least three hours down the hill picking up trash from every little bush out there. I mean really--you'd think my oldest and formally dearest friend in the whole wide world would care a little more about me. I was lonely walking around. Plus, it just made me uncomfortable seeing her bend over like that time and time again. And this Craig fellow with his cute son Noah--ugh. The guy had the nerve to come out again and help when his children have never even been out to ride. Who does that?? Plus, his wife is precious and gorgeous all rolled into one. Don't believe me?

I stole this picture from her blog as proof! That will learn her being so darn cute and talented!

And this lady--she really pushed her luck.

How was I supposed to enjoy my hot dog when all I could see was her continuing to work away? She clearly was raised with no manners. Jill, really, think of others next time!

These people were no better. Teresa and Don and their cutie pie daughter dug an excessive amount of tree wells. People--take a break already! Didn't they know there were chips and cookies to be eaten?

When you see the next photo, do not lump Betty into the rude person category. She's lovely. She just happens to be married to a shady character.

So here is how the Dan rudeness plays out. I'm briskly walking along, lugging my heavy camera when I happen upon Dan. We begin to chit chat about the weather.

Me: The day ended up being really nice.

Dan: Yes, the temperature is perfect.

Me: Well, not perfect. I would prefer it be about 5 degrees warmer.

Dan: Maybe if you were actually working you'd agree.

Gasp! And to think I thought he was sweet all these years! To pay him back, I posed him and Betty so that Dan had a tree growing out of his head. Crafty, eh?

Moral to be learned--don't mess with the person doing all the work.

Thankfully there were some nice people that morning. I'll have to tell you about them another time.