Settle For A Pourdown

Max, Lisa, and I are heading out to spend some time with our buddies, Brad and Dierks. Who knows, we might even have them sing to us. Sounds like a fun thing to do on this rainy Thursday evening. I bought rain ponchos at Walgreeens. We're ready for the downpour.

I mentioned rain. Sessions had to be cancelled today at GG because of it. Here in New Mexico, it's hard to complain when we get any moisture. Pennies from heaven, I'd say. Drops of life. Green weeds for all! Thanks for the showers, God!

Hugs to our wonderful GG neighbors, Mike and Steph. They had to put down one of their dogs yesterday. Punky had a long, good life. If you know Mike and Steph, you know how much they adore their animals. Mike's father is also very sick. If you wouldn't mind, please pray for the whole family during this hard time. The circle of life is not easy to handle when it's someone you know and love.

Sweet Keri, thanks so much for all the data entry you do with our waivers. You are an unsung hero! Right here, right now I'm singing grateful lyrics in your name. Won't you tell your sweet daughter how much we enjoy the bedazzling she did to the waiver book? Big binders look so much better with images of horses adorning its cover.

Just in case you were one of the kind souls who offered to help pick pumpkins with us on Saturday, we are no longer doing that. Sure hope you got that memo. We were terribly short on trailers and didn't think we could pull it off. The new plan is to pay to have them delivered. Tell your backs they lucked out this time and thank yourselves for your willing attitude.

That's all for now.

Michelle Wade, signing out.

Gushy Talk

Could the rumor be true?
Could she really have done that without letting me know?
Would someone go that far?
Do that much?
Be so sweet?


Indeed she did.
And fast.
Without glory.
Because she's lovely and kind.
And because she cares!

Ms. Keri, thank you very much for doing data entry on all those waivers!

But wait. . . there are more never thanked. That is a crime.
I will name a few, only a few tonight.

Barb and Melissa, you sweet gals--thanks for helping Trish with all that paperwork! She raved about your helpful ways.

Renee--we said we needed help. You provided. We appreciated!

My sissy, my love. Thanks for the support, the advice, the waiver in Word. Why do you live in Chicago and not here with me? I love you.

Carri--the tack room was transformed before our very eyes. That was one impressive feat. Thank you, thank you!

Darren--you were strong and tough helping Carri move all the saddles back. We're so glad GGYR can benefit from your muscles. Thanks!

More gratefulness coming soon!

So far, this has been one very fantastic first week. Thanks to all of you making that possible.

Do The Hustle (Again)

An entry so nice, I'm posting it twice. Originally published in June.24, 2008. Poor Keri cannot even defend herself now. She has given up blogs for Lent. Maybe after Easter she'll let us know if she enjoyed this post even more the second time.

What a sweet looking woman, huh? She really is. She's soft spoken, friendly--just one of those people you meet and think, "I'm sure she'd make a nice friend." I met Keri when her daughter Aubrey and Brooke were in the same kindergarten class. After kinder, they had the nerve to up and transfer to another school. How could I possibly foster a friendship with a person who is no longer around?

Well, they came back to our school last year. Brooke and Aubrey were again together for third grade. Brooke asked Aubrey to come to her rather small, rather tame birthday party last week. Keri and Aubrey both came out with only about 12 hours notice. (I am notorious for not planning parties. I like to spring things on my unlucky guests. I'm not proud. It's just how I roll.)
Keri was so complimentary of GG and asked all kinds of questions about horse care, volunteer opportunities, etc. If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know that I have limited knowledge of most things horse related. I tried to impart what small amount I could, and that isn't saying much at all. Keri took it all in. I felt good sharing what I could. I thought, maybe, just maybe, I can be of use to this ranch. There are people out there who need me. There are people that I can inform and inspire. (Time to defenestrate that idea!) I got Keri set up with a brush and turned her loose.

Later when I noticed there was a horse not being used, I graciously asked my "student" if she wanted to try riding. Keri made sure there were no children wanting a turn before she accepted my offer. Because I'm so good at adjusting stirrups and the like, I attempted to adjust them for Keri. Sadly, it was an older type stirrup and I had to call in my beastly strong sis-in-law, Carla, to give us a hand. (Carla has real knowledge of horses, not the fake kind I dish out.)

Once Keri was comfortably aboard, I nervously held my breath and hoped and prayed she would have a safe, easy ride.

What I didn't expect was that Keri was a master rider! A galloper. A loper. Whatever you call the different speeds--Keri was doing them! If you can get past my camera malfunction, please note that she is not even hanging on for dear life. (Not that I do that.)

Not clueless Keri. Nope. In fact, she didn't look scared at all. She looked like she frequently takes 1000 pound animals on high speed jaunts.She looked ultra comfy in that saddle with incredible posture. (Yep--faking knowledge again.)

Easy cheesy!Look at her smile when she finally came to a stop. I was flabbergasted at her performance. I asked her where in the world she learned to ride like that. She down played her showing. She told me that when she was young, she and her friend used to ride every day during the summer but it has been a looong, long time. Yeah, it hasn't been that long and I don't think she forgot a bit.

From now on I am sharing with no one. Do not talk to the picture taker, folks. She cannot be disturbed. Besides, she hasn't a clue. Go ask Cowboy Max or Trish or even Claire. They might be able to help you. Michelle is out of commission.

Word to the wise--I wouldn't challenge Ms. Keri to a game of pool or cards or even basketball. I'm sure she'll hustle you out of your britches if given the chance!

Barrels Of Fun

I was thinking you all might be a little pumpkined (very euphonious!) out this week. Because I care so much about all of you, I thought I'd provide you with a little variety on this fine Thursday.

What better to talk about than some happy children enjoying horses? Monday evening a group of Girl Scouts came out to learn about horses in order to earn their horse pin. My lovely friend, Keri, has a daughter in this particular troop. They called and asked if we would be willing to have the ladies out to show them a few things. We immediately showed them the rakes and pitch forks! I know, I know--we're too good to guests! They were the hard working-est, non complaining-est young ladies you'll ever meet! Don't you just love how I made them pose with a load of poop? The girl with the purple bandana covering her face cracks me up! I think she's the smarty of the group. This is Keri. Cute, right? She happens to be cute and sweet. Within the last month she baked both a carrot cake and apple pie for us! She has also volunteered at the pumpkin stand, bid on t-shirts, and faithfully commented on the blog. Anyone remember the Do the Hustle post I did in June? (If you haven't read it, check it out.) Keri is the lady who had me explaining things about the horses to her and then ended up riding like an ol' pro! On Monday I caught her trying to pull me into her web again. "Michelle, am I doing this right? Michelle, does this strap go here? Michelle, should I do this or this?" Good try, Keri! You'll have to find your answers else where! Max, Steph, and Trish taught the girls about grooming and saddling the horses. It was such a perfect night. The horses were calm, the weather was beautiful, and the girls were terrific! Trish and Steph, thanks for being there once again! We ran out of daylight before we wanted the night to end. We sure hope these girls make it back out to ride and play... and scoop more poop!
Thanks, Girl Scouts!

Thanks to all who helped with the stand and the two field trips today. Deanell, Darren, Julie, Beth, Dena, Nancy, Roy, Jessie, Matthew, Cindy & kids--Kelsey, Grant, Logan. Wow! Our cup runneth over!

Beth enjoyed covering pumpkins so much last night she decided to do it again tonight. This time she recruited her hubby and Max's big bro, Roy, to help out. (BTW--Beth also brought out super delish breakfast burritos for all of us this morning!)Things sure were a lot faster with him around. Thanks so much, Roy!

My niece, Jessie was also a big help. It's amazing someone her tiny size could lug $20 pumpkins around! And while I'm bragging about her, I'd like to announce she made the principal's honor roll at school this nine weeks. What a great way to start middle school! Jessie Bug, we're so proud of you!And this handsome Matthew kid--he played with Grant for almost an hour while we covered things up. Matthew, thanks for being such a great big cousin and for sharing your hamburger with Grant. We love you!

Mom, thanks so much for taking and picking my kids up from school, going to the store for me, and making dinner.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Do The Hustle

What a sweet looking woman, huh? She really is. She's soft spoken, friendly--just one of those people you meet and think, "I'm sure she'd make a nice friend." I met Keri when her daughter Aubrey and Brooke were in the same kindergarten class. After kinder, they had the nerve to up and transfer to another school. How could I possibly foster a friendship with a person who is no longer around? Well, they came back to our school last year. Brooke and Aubrey were again together for third grade. Brooke asked Aubrey to come to her rather small, rather tame birthday party last week. Keri and Aubrey both came out with only about 12 hours notice. (I am notorious for not planning parties. I like to spring things on my unlucky guests. I'm not proud. It's just how I roll.)
Keri was so complimentary of GG and asked all kinds of questions about horse care, volunteer opportunities, etc. If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know that I have limited knowledge of most things horse related. I tried to impart what small amount I could, and that isn't saying much at all. Keri took it all in. I felt good sharing what I could. I thought, maybe, just maybe, I can be of use to this ranch. There are people out there who need me. There are people that I can inform and inspire. (Time to defenestrate that idea!) I got Keri set up with a brush and turned her loose.

Later when I noticed there was a horse not being used, I graciously asked my "student" if she wanted to try riding. Keri made sure there were no children wanting a turn before she accepted my offer. Because I'm so good at adjusting stirrups and the like, I attempted to adjust them for Keri. Sadly, it was an older type stirrup and I had to call in my beastly strong sis-in-law, Carla, to give us a hand. (Carla has real knowledge of horses, not the fake kind I dish out.)

Once Keri was comfortably aboard, I nervously held my breath and hoped and prayed she would have a safe, easy ride.

What I didn't expect was that Keri was a master rider! A galloper. A loper. Whatever you call the different speeds--Keri was doing them! If you can get past my camera malfunction, please note that she is not even hanging on for dear life. (Not that I do that.)

Not clueless Keri. Nope. In fact, she didn't look scared at all. She looked like she frequently takes 1000 pound animals on high speed jaunts. She looked ultra comfy in that saddle with incredible posture. (Yep--faking knowledge again.)

Easy cheesy! Look at her smile when she finally came to a stop. I was flabbergasted at her performance. I asked her where in the world she learned to ride like that. She down played her showing. She told me that when she was young, she and her friend used to ride every day during the summer but it has been a looong, long time. Yeah, it hasn't been that long and I don't think she forgot a bit.

From now on I am sharing with no one. Do not talk to the picture taker, folks. She cannot be disturbed. Besides, she hasn't a clue. Go ask Cowboy Max or Trish or even Claire. They might be able to help you. Michelle is out of commission.

Word to the wise--I wouldn't challenge Ms. Keri to a game of pool or cards or even basketball. I'm sure she'll hustle you out of your britches if given the chance!