Volunteers Galore

Man--we are some blessed people! I wanted to write and quick note and thank all the volunteers from this past weekend. Of course I'm a little nervous I'm going to leave someone out. If I do, please forgive me. This weekend was so busy that my mind is a little fuzzy on the details.

Thursday Cindy and her kiddos helped out for several hours. Thanks so much! You are such a great family.

On Friday, Deanell and Barb manned the stand and are we ever grateful. Thanks, ladies. Talk about two of the friendliest people in town! We know our customers are in great hands when you two are around.

Saturday was a crazy day! Max brought two horses to the stand expecting the crowds. It sure was a good thing he did. There were very few times the horses didn't have someone on their backs. This brings me to two amazing volunteers I need to brag on for a bit. Tim and Renee walked around in a small circle from ten in the morning until six in the evening giving pony rides! Look at their big smiles--their faces had one all day! Tim had agreed to work a couple hours in the morning while Max was working with some boy scouts out at the ranch. Instead of Tim leaving when Max got back, he stayed till the bitter end! Tim, thank you so very much! He cracked me up. He got to talking about his wife Barb volunteering so much for us. He said he told her, "Wait a minute. Galloping Grace is my deal. You haven't even been to the ranch yet." I explained to him that we are more than receptive to them having a volunteer contest.

Renee has been a rock star this whole month. The poor girl, she was working two jobs until two weeks ago when she finally quit one. Instead of relaxing with her new found free time, she has given up her entire weekends to help at the stand! Renee is always ready and willing to do anything we need. One morning she showed up with muffins, the next with homemade chocolate peanut butter cupcakes! Renee, we love and thank you!!!

Trish--not enough words to thank her! She NEVER stops working for GG! She now coordinates the volunteers at the ranch and the pumpkin stand, makes all the deposits at the bank, is the treasurer, works endless hours selling pumpkins, feeds us, etc., etc.! We're going to be really sad when she gets burnt out and quits. Any backups ready to step in??! Trish, can you work on that for us?

Rebekah is one of the children who comes out to the ranch on a regular basis. During October, she has volunteered at the stand nearly every single day. This is possible because she is home schooled. Are we ever grateful! Rebekah happily takes money, carries pumpkins, entertains children, or does face painting. She isn't picky--she just wants to help. Rebekah, thank you for your dedication to the pumpkin stand! You're a great help.

My mom--love that woman! Mom took Grant home several days in a row so that he could nap. She has gone shopping for me, cooked all our meals, cleaned, worked the stand, picked up my kids at school, etc. It's no wonder she had tried bribing us NOT to sell pumpkins. She remembered how much work she put in last year! Mom, thank you so much! We love you!

Andrea and Thomas--thanks for your help! You're great kids who we love to have around! Also, thanks to both your parents for taking the time to bring you to the stand. We appreciate you sharing your children with us. Andrea is a nut. I took her across the street with us to use the restroom and get some cold drinks. She was tortured letting me buy her drink and candy. Silly child--she works all day and doesn't think she deserves a drink. She gave Max money on Sunday to "pay him back," but he's just going to use it on her again.

I am delighted that that one egg decided to split into two awesome people! Chase and Chris worked their rears off moving pumpkins around this weekend. We are starting to get a little low, so they made sure our displays look full. My favorite thing about both of them is just how hilarious they are! I get so excited when I see them pull up because I know I'm in for some big ol' chuckles! Chase--thanks for sharing Trish with us and helping us close so many days. Chris, thanks for everything!

Caitlyn, we appreciate the help on Saturday. Your willing attitude is superb! :)

Pam, thanks for helping out at the stand Saturday and today. She is in town for a few days visiting Trish and Chase. Like her daughter, Pam is willing to do whatever needs to be done. Saturday she had a little picnic with the kids to help keep them contained.

She is also a monthly financial contributor to GG! Ms. Pam, thanks a ton! We're happy that you got to go out to the ranch yesterday and see children enjoying the horses.

Joe and Bonnie, we just love you two! Thanks for stopping in so often to lend a hand and cheer us on. We are so lucky to have your support and friendship!

Dennis, you have stopped by so many times to lend a hand. Thanks, friend! I think I'll even forgive you for calling me Trish all the time.

Eric, I guess you learned your lesson about stopping by after work! The poor guy ended up working several hours doing whatever we needed! We would like to assure him there was no legerdemain intended--he just was too handy to let go. We should pinch ourselves--how can we possibly know so many generous people?! Thanks, Eric.

Today, Cathy B. volunteered at Galloping Grace watering trees for hours! This is the lady that had the nerve to paint the fence at the pumpkin stand while I was trying to enjoy my lunch. She also helped during two field trips we had at the stand and last Friday with a group of children we had out. Cathy, we are so lucky to have you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I'm going to end with Stephanie, super neighbor. The kind lady has fed the horses so many days so that Max could be at the stand. Steph also agreed to help last night when we had girl scouts at the ranch. We love and thank you, Steph.

I'm sure I'll wake up during the night with the names of more people that helped this weekend. Please know we're grateful even if I forgot to mention you.

Random Acts Of Kindness

I'm so behind reporting about wonderful people involved in the ranch. I'm going to quickly highlight just a few tonight in hopes of catching up a bit. Geez, what a great problem to have--nice things are happening quicker than I can report. Please prepare your eyes for a whole lot of gratitude. Cowgirl Erin, thanks so much for letting Max borrow your cute, blue tractor when he was trying to get things done for the big work day. Grant and Kaley give it a big thumbs up!
Plant World--the ten new trees you kindly donated are fabulous! We greatly appreciate your generosity. Just so all of you know, Plant World also donated ten other trees in November! Thank you so much!

This cute guy is Michael, a high school kid who gave up an in service day he had off from school to slave away at GG. He loaded up all the wood you can see behind them almost by himself. He also performed quite a few other things around the ranch. His mom is the our children's PE teacher at school. Coach told Michael about GG, and Michael took care of the rest. Thanks, Michael!!! Darren used to like painting. After staining the whole outside fence of the pumpkin stand, he's not feeling it as much. He told me today that his favorite thing to do is "fixing stuff." Darren, like it or not, you did a great job staining away. Thanks for all your hard work. This kind soul is Cathy. She not only helped during Second Saturday, but today she came back to volunteer her time at the pumpkin stand. I think Darren was relieved to have a little help in the painting department. He quickly pointed out to Cathy that he was there earlier than she was and did more of the work. She doesn't appear overly competitive--she smiled and agreed with Darren. All I know is that I felt a little guilty chomping down on my sandwich, chips, and mini Kit Kat bar while she stood in the hot sun working. Doesn't she know how rude being productive is while others are trying to enjoy their lunches? Some people! Cathy, thanks so much! You're welcome back any time--except during lunch hour.

Marvin and Jackie, owners of Albuquerque Cafe, donated food for our Second Saturday work day. Yep, they DONATED the food. Not only that, but they went shopping for all of it, brought it to the ranch, grilled it, and served it!

They also come out to our family cattle ranch and cater for our big branding every summer. Jackie and Marvin (and all your family who came out to help with you), what a huge gift to all of us! Thank you , thank you , thank you!

That's if for tonight.

Health update on Max:

Max saw the neurologist today who said there was no change in his MRI from last month. The cyst appears the same. That is such happy news! She would like to see him again in six weeks and rescan him in two months. Right now we are running with the good news!

He also saw the cardiologist today who basically answered all our questions about Max's valve replacement surgery. Dr. DuBroff ordered a chest CT and had his receptionist get us scheduled with the surgeon, who we meet on Oct. 14. Thanks for your continued prayers until that time. (And beyond, of course!) Pretty soon Max will be in fine fettle.

Hope you have a great rest of your week.