We launched our Emotional Stimulus Plan this spring as a way to help some of our fans find a way to make it out to the ranch this year. Although we put a lot of emphasis on wonderful accommodations and facilities, amazing cuisine, steller service and all that good stuff, the thing we all feel is the most important is the emotional stimulus we give our guests. Whether it's escaping harder times at home or rejuvenating a relationship that needs some attention or being able to just take a deep breath and slow down, we hope that each guest gets something more than just a nice vacation. We were overwhelmed by the response. And, more than anything, we were overwhelmd by the quality of the responses and the effort that went into them. We can't fit every winner in here, but here are a sampling of some of the great ones (and ones that weren't 4 pages long) who were declared winners.
What talented (well, that may be a stretch) producers we have in our fan base! Some of these may be more funny when you actually know the people, but we are going to air them anyway for your viewing pleasure!
The Whine Flu
The Cantor Family Band
The Top Ten List
When I was a little girl, my mother told me that, as a woman, I should learn to take care of myself. When I asked, "Why?" she replied, "Because you will be so busy taking care of others that if you don't learn to take care of yourself, no one else will." I didn't know exactly what Mom meant until years later but the meaning is crystal clear these days. Women run board meetings, vacuum cleaners, scout meetings, tenure retention and promotion committees, we run household inventories, cost benefit analyses, to soccer practice, bassoon lessons, awards banquets, and we even run after the cows that get loose in the neighbors flower beds.
Vickie and I have been best friends ever since we entered college twenty plus years ago. Our friendship has not changed over the years –we still talk every day about everything and nothing but our conversations have changed! We stopped reading Cosmo girl and subscribed to Southern Living and Cooking Light. We stopped working on our tan at the local pool and started lathering up on sunscreen and anti-wrinkle cream. Our friendship has encompassed 20+ years of life's ups and downs and through it all we agree that having a best friend to share your story with is one of life's treasures.
A couple of years ago we started celebrating milestone birthdays, you know, the ones where a single box of candles just isn't enough. We also started talking more about taking a break from taking care of others to taking care of ourselves. Here is our proposal:
The EMOTIONAL STIMULUS PLAN OF VICKIE REEDY AND MARTHA DAY, TWO SOUTHERN BELLE, HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS IN NEED OF AN IMMEDIATE BAILOUT TO INCLUDE A REORGANIZATION OF THOUGHT, A REJUVENATION OF SPIRIT AND RECONNECTION OF FRIENDSHIP.
1. Our emotional stimulus plan involves a week DEVOID OF?..LAUNDRY, MENU PLANNING, GROCERY SHOPPING, BILL PAYING, HOUSE CLEANING, PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES, PAPERS TO GRADE, LESSON PLANS, COPY MACHINES, COMPUTERS, FLIPPED UP TOILET SEATS, MACARONI & CHEESE OR ANY OTHER "KID FOOD", SLEEP DEPRIVATION, TELEVISION, DRIVING TO BALL PRACTICE, COACHING BALL PRACTICE, SCOUTS, CHOIR PRACTICE, HUMIDITY and ANY QUESTION BEGINNING WITH, "COULD YOU HELP ME FIND MY _______".
2. Our emotional stimulus plan will enhance any economic stimulus plan by helping to reform the health care system. If Vista Verde Ranch can help us restore our sanity just think what our nation's healthcare system will save on mental health costs associated with frazzled mom-professional-household diva-I'm so tired I could sleep for a month syndrome.
3. Our emotional stimulus plan involves a week FILLED WITH?.SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS, AWAKENING TO FRESH MOUNTAIN AIR AND THE SOUND OF QUAKING ASPENS, STAFF SO FRIENDLY AND ACCOMODATING THAT WE HAVE TO PINCH OURSELVES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT DREAMING, MOJITOS, LEISURELY DINNERS FILLED WITH CONVERSATION AND LAUGHTER ABOUT THE DAYS ACTIVITIES, HIKING, BIKING, HORSEBACK RIDING UNTIL WE ARE SATIATED, FLY FISHING, BALLOONING, RAFTING, ROCK CLIMBING, PICTURES, MEMORIES, ADVENTURE, LAUGHTER.
4. Our emotional stimulus plan involves ADVENTURE?.school teachers love to learn new things like how to DANCE the COTTON-EYED JOE & the BOOT SCOOTIN' BOOGIE, HOW TO ROUND UP CATTLE ON HORSEBACK, HOW TO REFRAIN FROM CUTTING THE STEAK OF THE PERSON NEXT TO ME AT DINNER.
5. Our emotional stimulus advisors tell us that VISTA VERDE RANCH is up to the task of providing an immediate BAILOUT!
We leave you with a ballad of our plan for ESP at VVR?.
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"The Ballad of Martha and Vickie"
Their Emotional Stimulus Plan at Vista Verde Ranch
Beverly Hillbillies Lyrics
Come and listen to a story about two teachers from Tennessee
Frazzled, tired, women, barely kept their laundry washed,
Then one day while checkin' their emails,
And up in the inbox came the Vista Verde newsletter.
Stimulus that is, emotional renewal, Ranch life bliss!
Well the first thing you know those girls are dreamin' big,
Starry eyed they thought aloud,
"Colorady is the place we ought to be"
So they loaded up the truck and went to Steamboat Springs.
Ranch, that is. Horseback ridin', wranglers, fancy cookin'.
Well now it's time to say "pack yer bags" to two adventurers.
And they would like to thank you folks fer kindly offering.
We hope to be invited out to this locality
To have a heapin' helpin' of VVR hospitality
Vista Verde that is. Set a spell, Take your worries away.
Ride awhile, climb those mountains, float that river,
Smell that clean mountain air!
Y'all come out to VVR now, y'hear?. |
I would love the opportunity to be considered for your ESP. I am Laura Smith, a 47 year old mother of 3 almost grown amazingly wonderful children. I work 2 jobs in order to put my 2 youngest children thru college alone (unfortunately their father does not participate). My oldest son is in the Navy, A Special Operations Diver in Guam for the next 3 years. He gets to come home for a couple of weeks we hope sometime around December/January. My middle child is a premed student, 22 years old, that works full time as a pharmacy technician to help pay his way thru college. My daughter is 19, she works full time at a Smoothie King to help with her college, and will be graduating from a local nursing school next May, she will be the youngest to graduate this college Registered Nurse program. She started college at 17 because she was in a serious car accident and could no longer attend public high school due to her injuries. She home schooled for awhile, then tested for her GED to go ahead and start college. I would love to be able to give my family the vacation of a lifetime when my son gets to come home on leave. We are very close, as I have raised them pretty much by myself for the last 13 years. My children were raised in the country when they were small, on a 50 acre ranchette, with horses, and rodeo'd as small children. They learned to ride before they even learned to walk. My daughter misses the country and her horses terribly. I had to sell all and move when I divorced. Being a single mom has been very hard, but being a mom has been the most rewarding blessing I have ever been given. I never missed a ball game, rodeo, tournament, or a cheerleading competition, though there were many times because of my schedule I only made it there in time for my child to see me standing by the bus as they were leaving the field, but they knew Mom was there. There was never alot of extra for fancy vacations, we went and did what we could (as there was never any child support). This would be a fantasy vacation that would be a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would probably never be able to afford on my own. It would probably give me the last opportunity to get all of my children together for a family vacation, before they all go the own separate adult ways. My daughter is engaged, so there would be a total of 5 of us, if that is not too many to assist with. Thank you for your time and interest, and thank you for your wonderful generosity that will allow some very lucky people the chance of a lifetime. I am honored to even be considered.
Sincerely,
Laura
If it is okay, I just thought I would send a note on behalf of someone I think needs to spend some relaxing time in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.
My parents have always been hard-working people and I greatly respect them for that. My Mom chose to be a stay-at-home mom when my older brother was born and has given her life to homeschooling and being there for the three of us for the past 25 years. We owe so much to her! My Dad is a hard-working man who has owned his own business for 28 years and supported us in many ways. He is very passionate and very loving and if it weren't for his constant care, I definitely would have ended up down another road when I was younger. My parents are my inspiration and I so much hope to raise a family after the example they have given and continue to give.
My family actually lived in a log cabin in the forests of Arizona for about 15 years growing up and it was the best time of our lives. In the past 3 years, there have been a lot of changes and hard times that have caused 2 moves and a lot of stress for them. About 4 years ago, my Mom was diagnosed with a slight form of Multiple Sclerosis and while it has affected a lot of her ability in walking and certain other areas in her daily life, we are so thankful to the LORD that it not a really bad case and that the main problems that she has are in regards to walking distances. It has been an adjustment for her and for all of us.
With the moves and the MS, there has been quite a bit of financial strain and emotional strain in their lives. They are strong in their faith and I really think that these past few years have drawn them closer to each other and to the LORD and it has also drawn us closer as a family. I know at this time in life, there are so many people who are struggling so much more than my family is so I am not meaning to play up our small troubles. We are definitely counting the many blessings.
I moved out here to Colorado about 3 years ago to work at a ministry that I believe is vital for the young people of this day and age. The decision to move out here was backed by so many answers to prayer and even though it is rough at times to be so far away from my family, it has strengthened me in so many different ways. I have always loved the mountains and have been fascinated with stories of the West and ranching. I love the ruggedness of Colorado.
I would like to nominate my parents for a relaxing getaway because they really miss the forests, rustic hominess and the peaceful atmosphere of where we used to live. It is my Mom's 50th birthday this year and it would be fun to be able to do something like this for her. If I could, I would pay for the whole trip. I have heard about the Vista Verde Ranch from a few different people who worked there and have done some research on it on my own. I am greatly impressed with what you all offer and I would love to sometime come and visit in the future.
Thank you for considering my request and I hope that you have a successful summer!
Sincerely,
Tori
