Ah Shucks!

I mentioned earlier in the week how we loved this sweet family. Look at the incredibly kind things they had to say.

Why Galloping Grace Brings PURE JOY:

Andrea: age 10
“Galloping Grace is a very special ranch. I like it because it is a good learning experience for kids, also it will help kids with their jobs when they get older. I love Galloping Grace because there is more than one thing to do. It is a REALLY FUN place to go all the time. Who says life on the ranch can’t be fun? I love the ranch and all the people and horses there. I hope when you are looking for a next riding camp you will choose this one. I know I liked it from the start. My time there was awesome and I hope yours is to. Max and Michelle are the best.”

Mom: age ??
I feel so lucky to have discovered Galloping Grace Youth Ranch. My children could not get enough of the ranch this summer. They actually got up by themselves to get ready. If only I could get them to do that for school! I agree with Thomas, Max and Michelle are just really good people! Not only do my kids benefit from interacting with horses, they are outdoors, contributing to the work that needs to be done in caring for the horses. They are participating in volunteering their time to benefit the horses and other children in a Christian setting. They even gave Max (most of) their hard earned allowance at the end of the summer to help feed the horses. Where else can children have these experiences and learn these valuable lessons? I am always touched when Max submits a post about a particular therapeutic horse moment which was provided to a child or teen from being at the ranch. These experiences, great or small, can truly be life-changing memories for the children and adults involved. All the volunteers at the ranch do so much to ensure the kids are safe and having fun. I can’t thank you guys enough for the privilege of benefiting from your vision! We are so lucky to have your family, friends and ranch as part of our life!

Thomas: age 12
“I love going to Galloping Grace because it’s REALLY FUN! There is so much neat stuff. You get to ride horses, scoop poop, groom horses, chase lizards, and play with everyone. Everyone is so nice. It’s way better than computer games because there’s lots of activities and never boring. Max and Michelle are so nice and fun. They are just really good people.”

Passing The Time

It was a slow news day at the pumpkin stand. We had a lot of "customers" enjoy our Kiddie Corral, but who did not necessarily want any pumpkins. That's OK. We are getting a kick out of being the Play, No Pay Pumpkin Stand. We found other ways to entertain ourselves besides taking people's money.

Every quality pumpkin stand needs men in uniform performing circus acts. We were lucky enough to be visited by the ever talented Fireman Barnsie! Not only can he put out fires with a single hose, but he can also juggle pumpkins like nobodys business!
Barnsie, you're the man!

This next picture is dedicated to my sister-in-law, Regina, to let her know that I'm not the only "dork" in town. My lovely Lisa also has spirit, oh yes she does! Isn't her shirt a real winner? Do you remember that other really cool person who sported the identical get up? I tell ya, Lisa and I are on the cutting edge of fashion. Sorry about that snake again. Oh, and the missing head. Some pictures are better off without heads.

The juggling fireman and the pumpkin girl are an item. How perfect is that? They also happen to have three adorable children we just love!

I'm telling you folks, we had to do something to keep ourselves occupied.
Brooke, Andrea, and Rebekah decided to, uh, to have a little fun in their new shiny hats!
Then Rebekah dipped into the candy bowl one too many times!

Just when our day couldn't get any more exciting, Mr. Keith Arrighetti, vice president extraordinaire of the NW region of greater Albuquerque, man in charge of many people and various districts of which I'm not aware, first in command of stuff and things, suit wearing (not in a fop way) Mr. Wells Fargo Important person appeared on the scene. No matter his title I cannot figure out, I prefer to call him friend! (I know you're all probably tearing up.) Keith and his wife Dena are great people and fantastic friends who have done so much for us! Because I didn't mention it before, Dena hand stamped price tags for our pumpkins--so sweet!

Keith had told us about money that Wells Fargo gifts to various non profit organizations. He encouraged us to write a letter requesting money be donated to Galloping Grace. Trish and Lisa wrote said letter and today Keith delivered the funds approved to us directly to Trish's hot little hands! Keith, thanks so much for letting us know about the money and delivering the goods! Wells Fargo, thank you very much for $1000 to be used for a handicap ramp! Not a bad end to a slow selling day.

A couple more things--while I am thanking people for a $1000 donation, please allow me to thank M & K B. for their extremely generous gift of the exact same amount a couple weeks back!!! I still am having a hard time figuring out how to let all our readers know about generous gifts like this. Would the donor be uncomfortable if I announced their names? Somehow I find it easier when the donation is something like a saddle or a tree. Am I crazy? Is it rude to talk about money being contributed? I'd love to have some feedback on this matter. In the mean time, thank you to those of you who gave MONEY to GG these last couple months! Please know how much we appreciate your generosity, even if I am inept at expressing it. I might just have to have a poll on this matter. I had better sleep on it.

Hump day, schmump day! I think we'll call it a great day! Hope yours was just as swell.

Super Sunday

Good morning to you! I just woke up from another nap on the couch. Compulsive me finds it necessary to post something, no matter how brief. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me. Now for some random snippets from a most successful day pushing pumpkins.


A big thanks to Misha, Trish, Renee, Rebekah, Andrea, Thomas, and Donna for helping out today. Did I leave anyone out? If so, I'm pulling the 1:15 in the morning excuse. Valid, right? Thanks also to Carri, Alex, Gabriel, Jaden, and Amber for taking care of things at Galloping Grace. We just love poop scoopers!


The first customers I saw when I showed up today were the wonderful Ms. Patti and her patient hubby, Jess. Ms. Patti was one of the teachers in Claire's kindergarten class last year. I love the lady! She is so much fun! I think I acted a little goofy when I saw them, but I don't know if Ms. Patti would expect anything less from me. They were just returning from a weekend get a way to San Diego and thought they'd stop by and say hi.

Garrett's teacher Ms. Robinson and her friend also came by. It was busy while she was there so I forgot to snap her picture. Kicking myself now, but I think I'll get over it. Ms. Robinson, thanks for visiting--you made Garrett's day!


Call me crazy...

but I don't think this guy's gonna sell!

In last night's post, I mentioned we received some hail at the stand. If you look closely you can see the hail damage done to this particular pumpkin. Many more experienced a similar fate. I joked with customers all day that we would not charge extra for it.
Max said the had quite a few customers this morning who were digging the added character.
This is Andrea, Terri and Thomas. Andrea and Thomas were regulars at GG this summer. The kids worked all day at the stand. Andrea asked me several times if she could help when she saw me lugging more pumpkins out of the boxes. She also did a heck of a job cashing people out. It turns out Thomas is a natural with the customers. On several occasions I heard him informing them what made a good pumpkin, offering up raffle tickets for a quilt we're auctioning, or helping some child in the Kiddie Corral. Those two are welcome back to help any time!

Since I've shown you Terri, I feel the need to brag on her for a minute. She is a hard working, single mom who does such a great job with her children! The three of them showed up the day we arrived with the pumpkins ready and willing to unload. Terri called Max a couple days after that asking if we open to see if we needed any help selling that day. Max informed her that we weren't open quite yet, but that we were unloading another trailer if she'd like to participate. After working a couple hours helping us move the orange beauties, she let me know she had already run 3 miles that morning, had an HOUR LONG massage, and taken a shower. What a good sport ruining the benefits of a massage to lend a hand! Terri, thanks so much! If any of you thing she looks familiar, she's also the one who set up and helped teach the CPR class Trish, Max, Erin and I took a couple months ago.

Finally, Carri and Alex's son Gabriel. I LOVE him! He usually loves me back but today he was in need of a nap. That will happen when you miss yours because your parents are volunteering at some crazy ranch! After they left there, they stopped by the pumpkin patch for a bit. Gabriel sure was happy up on Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit was one of the two horses last donated to GG. He is proving to be a great addition to the herd! He gave pony rides all day and did a wonderful job. I could tell he wasn't used to having the paparazzi all up in his grill because he flinched a couple times when the flash went off in his face. It was nothing more that a moment's hesitation, but he was a little leery. You would think the other horses would have warned him by now.

Now that I'm wide awake, I'll end this. If you are sick and tired of hearing about all things pumpkin, take comfort in the fact we're nearing the half way mark. Also, be happy for us that we made $900 today!! Not too shabby, I'd say. Much plaudits to all our volunteers!

My lovely Lisa, I forgot to thank you for the yummy cupcakes and cookies you dropped by the stand yesterday. Thanks so much!

In looking back, I have discovered that this post isn't so brief after all. Have yourself a terrific week!

Now We Know

Sunday greetings!

Saturday morning Max, Trish, Cowgirl Erin, and I attended a CPR class taught by two ladies named Jeana and Terri. Terri is the mother of Andrea and Thomas, GG regulars. She had asked Max to let her know if there was anything she could do to say thanks for having her kids out this summer. Max asked if she knew anyone who gave CPR lessons at the hospital where she worked. Score for us--Terri volunteered herself and her good friend Jeana to do the honors.

These two ladies gave up their Saturday morning to teach us the ropes. That's Terri on the left and Jeana on the right. Trish and Erin both wanted to have a refresher course. I hadn't had training since I took a college course back in the days. Max had a few when he had the plumbing and heating company, but he needed to be recertified for insurance purposes.

It looks like Max also needs to be refreshed on how to properly hold an infant. Geez, honey.

I just love this picture of Andrea seen in the background. She thought it was a hoot watching Cowboy Max trying to revive a real dummy. Thomas took matters into his own hands. These two kids have been a so much fun. Max has loved working with them and watching them grow in their horse skills. Terri and Jeana, thank you so much for our very private, very perfect CPR and first aide training. While I would like to extol the great way you presented the class, I think I speak for the group when I say I hope we never have to use a single thing you taught us!

Folks, We Finally Have Some Winners!

Can you believe it? Could you possibly still care?

For the months of May and June, I was pretty faithful in my use of a Dictionary.com Word of the Day word (delivered to my email inbox) in my posts. I wanted to hold my self accountable for actually reading and trying to retain the often silly, usually interesting little gems. Any time a person left a comment guessing the word of the day, their name was entered for the drawing to be held at the end of the month. May's winners were Regina, Dan, and Dena.

The end of June came and I couldn't bring myself to go back through comments and fill out entries. I had dinner to make, laundry to do, and company arriving shortly. (Oh yeah, and we were painting!) Are you wondering why I didn't just do it as the comments came in? I ask myself questions like that on a daily basis.

Because I mentioned last night that there would be some winners announced today, and because I ALWAYS follow through on such statements, I now have three winners. I feel so accomplished.

My little kiddos were more than excited to assist in this little game again. Claire got to select first because Brooke got to go first last time. Fair enough with just the right amount of logic. Claire took this job seriously. Was she ever proud when she saw that she picked out...

Lisa! Lisa is my great friend, Claire's great friend's mom, and the most faithful and great word guesser for the month of June. Congratulations, Lisa! I'd say you deserve first place this month--now what do you want? Amazon gift card, dinner on me at our next girls night out & a movie thrown in for extra fun, or maybe a Barnes and Noble card? You think on it and get back to me. Thank you for taking the time to guess and comment. You are one super cool friend.
Next up was Garrett. Garrett stirred the "pot" for about thirty seconds until I barked, "Just pick a name--my arms are getting tired holding up this camera!" (I'm so patient.) Would you believe Garrett also picked the lovely Lisa. Unfortunately, the official rules state that if I'm going to have a second and a third prize winner because I cannot stand only one person to win, the first place winner will not be considered for a second or the third prize even if they are picked. Don't blame me, blame the person who made up the rules. I already told you not to blame me.

Lisa, your second prize is the acknowledgement that you had so many correct guesses that you were picked twice. How warm and fuzzy is that? Now the new second place winner is...

Dan the Man!!! How cool! He also won last month. He was the proud winner of a Starbucks gift card word five whole dollars! Here comes my brutal honesty. Dan's gift card is sitting on top of my dryer in an envelope labeled "Dan the Man." Here's why--I had it in my vehicle to take to him while he was volunteering one day at GG. I forgot to hand it over. I still had it in my vehicle another day to give to him while he was helping out on a birthday party at GG. I forgot again. I brought it in my house to put in another envelope and then place it in the mail because I cannot trust myself or my pathetic memory. Hmm, anyone surprised that hasn't happened? I just got to thinking about something cool. I think I wasn't meant to remember because Dan wasn't through winning. Now I can put both gift cards to Starbucks worth five whole dollars each and take his lovely bride of 41 years for a cup of coffee. It would have been so sad for Dan to greedily gulp down his cup of java while Betty looked on in jealousy. Plus, sweet Betty is recovering from an emergency appendectomy performed while they were on vacation, and I'm sure she would like something special for herself!! Who knew she would ever get so lucky to score a gift card so magnificent? Dan, please share with Betty. And if you don't like coffee like I don't like coffee, regift them as I did. Or go eat a yummy danish. Or drive by a Starbucks drive through and hand them off to a sad looking person in line and make their whole day. Or have your own contest on your blog and hand them out as GRAND PRIZES. (Note to self--find out if Dan drinks coffee.) Congratulations, Dan (& Betty.)

Brooke picked last because Brooke picked first last time, remember?

She reached her grubby little hand (she'll love that comment) in that hat and pulled out....Andrea! Andrea is a new friend of mine from blog world. (Love all you blog world friends!) She has a great horse blog and beyond adorable children. I think it would be neat to meet her someday in real life. She has mentioned that she has always dreamed of working cattle, and we have plenty of cattle to work! Destiny!

Unlike myself, Andrea actually rides horses on a regular basis and knows things and stuff. I like to check in with her and soak up terms to throw around later for all you unsuspecting souls. It's too bad my memory is poor and I forget which terms to use. You can read her yourself if you're looking for more reasons to veg out in front of your computer. I, myself, don't waste time like that. There are lunges and sit-ups to do, weeds to pick, and children's minds to enrich. Andrea, email me at maxandmichelle@aol.com so that I can have your address to mail you a gigantic gift card to Target for five whole dollars!

Full disclosure time again. Brooke just came in the office and saw a name that got left out of the hat. Dear friend, Rhonda, we left you out. And because I know you like coffee (I've seen you drink it!), I will buy you a cup at the next girls night! We regret the error.

Congratulations to the three lucky winners. I will leave you with a list of the words I used. Feel free to use them as you wish.

June Words:

objurgating

patina

capacious

patrician

dilatory

maelstrom

defenestrate

apprised

ruminate

acumen

raconteur

prinking

pin money

tarradiddle

harridan

claque

minatory

forgo

cadge

lambasting

lionizing

fetters

What beautiful little creatures they are!