Debut Of Dollar And Other Interesting Topics

Exciting day with our lovely vet gals on the premises (more posts to follow--eventually.) I'll give you a few little tidbits so I have ample time to do some pumpkin business at the end.

Most exciting was this little item. Do you know what it is? So if you do know, and you know for sure, please be vague when commenting. I'd love to see the answers our readers can come up with for this little beauty.
I dedicate this picture to my pal Demetria. She loves eyeball shots.

Well, not really. But still.

Ouch! Ouch! Rotten tooth alert. It popped right out when the teeth floating began.
Well to be fair, popped out is a bit of an exaggeration. Dr. Alex actually had to pull it. She thinks our little patient will be feeling much better without that rotten thing in his mouth.

And when I say his mouth, I am talking about our charming new gelding, Dollar Bill. We have shortened that to just Dollar because Melissa commented that Dollar Bill sounds a little gangster-ish. Dollar is sweet and skinny and is in possession of the highest withers ever seen on a horse. Don't believe me? I'll have to post a picture later. For now, please check out his cute little face. Does he remind you of any movie star?

In pumpkin news--

The City denied our petition to have our pumpkin stand in the same spot we've had it for the last three years. Apparently, someone complained about the parking situation. The city agreed. (We're not blaming them here--they're doing their job.) We are no longer able to set up and operate in the Quanz lot. We are sad, but realize there has to be a reason for this. Maybe a life saved? A better, larger location for our ever expanding stand? Whatever the reason, I'm sure it's a good one. We'll just sit here and trust that God has it all worked out. If you know of that perfect spot, please let us know. We have to make some big decisions in a hurry! Without pumpkin and tree sales, GGYR is in tricky trouble. These two fundraisers are a huge part of how we can operate for free.

We are so very grateful to the owner and manager of Quanz for graciously sharing their lot with us for the last three years! What a company! If you ever frequent their business for your automotive needs, please thank them for all they've done for Galloping Grace Youth Ranch!!

Oh, almost forgot to mention something really fantastic. Ninety people have signed up for Cancer Comfort at the Corral scheduled for this Friday night at the ranch. We are so excited for these families to come out and enjoy the horses. Thanks to all our volunteers who so sweetly offered to work Friday night so this can happen. Yay!!

Have a good one.

Drip Drip Drip

So I never told you about. . . (remember when I used to do my "So I never told you" posts about lost or forgotten stories in GGYR land and then forgot to keep doing them?!)


Since my husband is absolutely obsessed with the upcoming pumpkin stand, I find myself getting into the spirit. From the archives I found these shots taken last October of a commercial being filmed at our very own little joint.

What was the commercial about, you ask?
Oh, just some water conservation ad. We all chuckled about this because back in the Kiddie Corral one could find a certain activity involving ducks racing in lots of water that was very far from conservation.

Be on the look out for Kaley lighting up the little screen some time this fall. If they're lucky, our son Grant and our little friend Gabriel might be in it as well.

Done

And done!
Thanks to follow.

I'm So Sad, I'm So Glad

There are some things that happen in my life where I immediately think, "I cannot wait to put that on the blog." Other times things happen and I scratch my head wondering if it would be inappropriate to tell all of you about it. I bet you're now scratching your heads thinking, "Wow, there are things more inappropriate than some of the images she posts?!"

This morning I heard some heartbreaking news and immediately had my internal dialogue. Would the family be OK with me asking all of you to say some prayers for them? Knowing them, I'd say they would be.

Last week Jeff and Stacy, some very dear friends to us, lost Jeff's dad in a tragic farm accident. Such devastating news. Please lift their family up in prayer. Jeff's dad was loved by so many. There were over 800 people at his funeral! That speaks volumes. Jeff, Stacy, and children--we love you so much! We will be praying for your broken hearts. Today is Jeff's birthday. Jeff, I know your birthday cannot be overly happy. For this I am so sorry. Many hugs.

Much happier news--Carla's dad, who I mentioned had a heart attack two nights ago, is improving nicely. Carla sent an email today saying he already got released from the hospital! Thanks to all who prayed for their family.

I think I had better cheer this post up quite a bit. I reached into the archive of happy October images to do just that.

I cannot believe I forgot this little cowboy's name--I knew it during pumpkin stand time. I got this picture of him giving a donation to Max to "feed your horses." Melted my heart seeing them both in their cowboy hats, one cowboy looking out for another.
These two also lifted my spirits. That's my niece and nephew being rotten and sweet at the same time. What great kids! They cheerfully worked many a day at the stand. Jess and Matt, I love you!!! Thanks to you and your parents growing all those gourds you donated to the stand, helping us work, and just being the wonderful people that you are.
Talk about your precious butterflies! Phoebe takes the cake in the cute department. She stopped by to show us her costume on the way to a trunk or treat event.
I liked this squinty-eyed picture of this Cub Scout troop. It made me remember the Sunday afternoon they showed up for a "field trip" to the stand. They didn't seem to mind that the place was full of other customers also riding the horses and playing away. I think a good time was had by all.
And this last little darling steals my heart for the night. My memory might be failing me, but I believe her name was Megan.
I got chills all over when her parents and grandparents told us they just came from the airport before coming to the stand. Megan was just adopted into their family. We couldn't believe they stopped by to see us and the pumpkin stand on their way home!! I gave her a lollipop and a rubber ducky--the only things I could think might interest a little cutie muffin who probably thought we all spoke crazy.
Megan (please be your name!), welcome to America and most importantly, welcome to your new family! We sure hope you come back next year for a visit.

Folks, find some happy in your day.

Say Cheese

At the pumpkin or tree stand, it is very common to have people sadly announce, "I forgot my camera!" Last year I was emailing people pictures all the time. Email addresses were often pouring out of my pockets. This year I decided to make it easier on myself and have one place where I upload all the pictures and then people can go and download whatever shots they want.

I am on the home stretch! I have just a few more days to go through and upload before I am finished with the pumpkin stand.

If you want to see any of the fun, you can go to the photo site.

That's all for tonight. Have yourselves a fantastic week.

Parenting 101

Mastering Tools

Seen here is four year old Grant, mid October, taking a stab at carving one of our not-so-desirable pumpkins. Folks, it's never too early to get them accustomed to wielding knives. Such an activity improves hand/eye coordination and overall confidence.

Information provided as a courtesy to our faithful readers. You are most welcome--no formal thanks required.

No Wonder The Horses Are Exhausted!

As Max headed to the pumpkin/tree stand yesterday to do a little clean up and tear down, I asked if he'd pretty please take a picture for me. A miracle occurred--picture taken! Wife pleased. The above image shows a waiver for each child that rode a horse at the pumpkin stand during the month of October! According to Trish's counting, there were 1, 598 forms completed. That equals quite a lot of happy children! And to be completely fair, there were a few families that did not fill out a new waiver for their children because of how often they visit the ranch and/or because they forgot the new one at home.

I love it--while we were operating a fund raiser so that we can operate a youth ranch where children get to come out and ride for free, over 1600 kids rode for free! I cannot tell you how many parents said, "This is his/her first time to ever ride a horse."Thank you to Quanz and our volunteers for making that all possible!

Who knew selling pumpkins could be so rewarding?!

Pretty Corny

Bonnie Boo

Do any of you remember last December when Santa let one of his elves come to the Christmas Corral for a visit?She even got to ride Black as Santa led her around. This year she got to come a little early and check out the pumpkin stand, and take a little spin on Red. Crazy elf/witch!
Ms. Bonnie, we're so glad you stopped by. We'll see you in a few weeks spreading your Christmas cheer to the masses.

Thinking Outside The Box

Out of the hundred thousand or so pumpkins we had on the lot,

a few were not meant for greatness. Some decided to throw in the towel before they could reach their intended destiny as a jack-o-lantern or a lovely fall decoration. Many a volunteer could be heard groaning after accidentally picking one up only to find it a complete mess. (You did read "complete mess" in a Simon Cowell accent, didn't you?) Behind the counter we have our pumpkin graveyard. Every few days we'll load them up and haul them out either to the Quanz dumpster or to the horse trailer so they can be a tasty tidbit for a horse or two back at the ranch.

On October 30 as it became apparent we would run out of pumpkins, Melissa (volunteer extraordinaire) had a stroke of genius--Why not discount those pumpkins that were soft, but not disgusting, and see how they sell? She even made a little sign to push her squishy gourds.Look closer--Yep, Melissa actually wrote the term "rotting pumpkins" on the sign. We were all cracking up. Bill, the pumpkin broker responsible for helping with our order, (who waived his usual 20% fee as a donation to GG!) just shook his head and laughed. I don't think he is accustomed to such tactics. He might have even regretted his decision to stop over that day.

Funny thing--those barely rotting pumpkins became the quickest sellers of the evening. It turns out parents don't care that a pumpkin their child is about to carve has a soft spot. In fact, the low price was a huge relief to many.

Folks, next Halloween if you find yourself in need of a large $4 pumpkin with a ready-made hole, stop by the Galloping Grace pumpkin stand. We just might be able to meet your needs.

Melissa, I think you missed your calling in marketing. Great stuff!

Pumpkin Pie

Perfect title for this little love. I also considered "Be Still My Heart."

I saw him just chilling out in the wagon and couldn't stand it! I asked (OK sorta pathetically begged) his parents if I might snap a few shots of him. They kindly said yes, and then I went a little crazy.

Can you blame me? Look at Dad with Carter's pacifier hanging off his pants. Love that. He was Mr. Mellow.
Life is good cruising around a pumpkin stand with fans adoring you.
"Who me?"

Definitely you! Joe and Mary Ann,
You have a gorgeous baby. Thanks for letting me have my fun. You might want to put a mask on his face if you bring him to the Christmas Corral--I won't be able to contain myself otherwise.