Another Christmas has come and gone.  There were many surprises and fun times.  Our newlyweds announced that they have a baby on the way.  Come August we will be grandparents for the seventh time.  I pray that all goes well for mama and baby.  I'm sure our son will be an excellent daddy.  Congratulations to Sam and Cass!

Today we were hit by the storm that dumped tons of snow throughout the west.  It was a blizzard and we still have about 2 inches of snow on the ground.  Tonight it is going to be cold, very cold, like 20 degrees, so all the snow will freeze and get icy.  I had plenty of trouble getting up our hill today.  I don't think I will attempt any travel tomorrow unless it warms up and thaws out. 

The grandkids were at our house most of the day and went out to play in the unusual weather.  They built a tiny snowman and threw snowballs at each other.  Of course, we "older folks"  aren't as thrilled with the cold and wind so we had more fun once we came back inside, started a fire and had some nice hot chocolate. 

The dogs had a great time rough housing and playing just like everyone else.  I'm not so sure the alpacas and the poultry enjoyed it as much. The chickens pretty much stayed inside.  The alpacas stayed in their shelters too.  The wind had the snow coming in at a horizontal slant so the alpacas got snow on their backs in spite of having shelter.  Sometimes I really do wish we had a real barn to put all the critters in when the weather gets nasty.  My gray cat, Loki stayed inside until dinner time and then he went outside.  I hope he comes back in before we go to bed tonight.  Mikie stayed in the barn all day.  He poked his nose out for a little while while I was feeding everyone tonight, but by the time I collected all the eggs and fed all the animals, he was already back inside.  

I saw a new stray cat by the pool yesterday morning.  He/she was big with long jet black fur.  I wonder if it has a home or if it is struggling to stay warm and dry now.Maybe it got in the barn and had a bit to eat before the storm hit.  I try to keep the cat dishes full of food all the time because there are a few strays around.  they keep the rat, mouse, rabbit and snake populations in check.  I read that cats are true carnivores and do not taste sweet stuff.  Dogs are omnivores like people and bears.  No wonder there are so many dogs!  They can survive on anything!  

Tomorrow is the last day of 2010.  I cannot say that I am sorry to see the old year go.  I hope the New Year is better for everyone.  Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I woke up to fog and frost.  It was about 27 degrees.  The sun was shining through and eventually the fog cleared.  I got a good picture, a bright white layer of fog between us and the Whetstone Mountains.  

I wrapped more gifts and cleaned.  Then I prepared food for our traditional Christmas Eve party.  Our spread was impressive if I say so myself.  I did have help from my daughters.  One made meatballs and a fruit platter with sweet dip.  She also brought crackers and seafood dips.  My second daughter made salmon bruchetta and cookies.  We also had cream cheese tortilla roll-ups, b-b-q'd little smokies, chilled shimp with cocktail sauce, a vegetable platter and petit fours.  I think that was everything.

We let the kids open their stockings.  Then we ate and ate a little more.  Then we sorted gifts and opened gifts for the people who were here.  Sorting was not an easy task.  For a poor economic year I feel that we are blessed.  I could not believe the gifts under the tree.  Praise the Lord!  

Tomorrow we will have a traditional sit down Christmas dinner.  I will use the "good" China!  I try to use it at least twice a year, Christmas and Thanksgiving.  It is only supposed to get down to 32 degrees tonight.  Should be a little warm up spot for Santa and the reindeer.  Our grandson put out cookies for Santa and reindeer food too.  How could Santa miss?

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and May God bless you each and every one!

Only two days to go!  Christmas is coming!  

I woke up to a "Praise the Lord" sunrise.  Absolutely breathtaking.  Then I went for my walk and took some pictures of the front moving into our area from SoCal.  I was fortunate to see a whole herd of mule deer on my walk too.  They were moving fast and far away.  It was difficult to capture them.  They will probably look like a spot on the picture if you can see them at all.  The mesquite trees here are so low to the ground.  They make perfect cover for deer and other wild animals.  

Today I'm going to try to finish wrapping gifts and plan the Christmas Eve and Christmas meals.  I mostly have things I need.  I just have to figure out what I can make ahead of time and where things will go.  Someday someone else will do all this.  I also appreciate what my mom and Steve's mom and other women have done in years past to make Christmas enjoyable for the whole family.  Whew!  It is a lot of work.

The kids and grandkids are off to see the new Disney movie "Tangled"  so I'd best make use of the time!  Merry Christmas!

Death is not the hard part.  The hard part is before death.  It is the pain and suffering.  It is the indecision and worry.  The agony comes before so that the death is a release, a freedom and a new beginning.  Tinker was released from his pain and suffering today and so was I.  

We, Steve and I, took him to the vet at 8:45 am.  Tinker seemed to remember because he got in the SUV fairly easily and jumped out easily once we got there.  The vet looked him over and asked questions.  She said that he either had Valley fever or cancer.  She said we could treat him with more antibiotics and valley fever medicine.  She could do more xrays and tests.  She said that he would never get completely well no matter what we did and he would probably die anyway.  Then she said we could have a few minutes to decide what to do and she left.  It was difficult for me to decide because Tinker was such a sweet boy.  I asked Steve what to do and I decided that ending it today was the best thing for all of us.  When we told the vet, she said we made the right decision.  She could not and would not decide for us but she said it was right.  

So, I hugged Tinker around his long fuzzy neck and told him "Thank you, Tinker".  I cried and let him go.  I did not stay for the vet to do her job.  She said it would be painless for Tinker but I want to remember him alive so I left.  Steve took me home and I am doing the every day things again, laundry, watching grand kids and planning dinner.  

Tinker was my first and favorite alpaca.  He had the best personality and always liked attention.  He hummed his greeting to me everyday until he got sick and he was not afraid.  He watched out for danger and gave his alarm call to warn the others.  He fought his brother bravely until they were separated.  He endured all his treatments and shearing without complaint.  He taught me about alpacas, the good parts and the difficult parts.  He will live on in my mind and my pictures.  Thank you Tinker.

At 6:45 it is still dark outside.  We had rain most of the night but it seems to be clear this morning.  


Tinker took a turn for the worse.  Last night when I went out to feed the animals, I could not find Tinker.  After I fed the other two boys I searched for him.  He was standing on the east side of the barn behind the board we put up to help keep the weather out.  His head was nearly on the ground and he was sort of swaying back and forth making a noise almost like a moo instead of the alpaca hum.  He did not jump away when I touched him nor did he seem aware that I was near.  I came inside and called the vet.  They cannot do anything until Monday.  


I figure Tinker is either in so much pain that he cannot function or the cancer or whatever ails him has invaded his brain.  Either way, we are done.  I had Steve go out with me to give Tinker an injection of pain killer that I had left from his foot injury.  I will continue to give him that until we take him to the vet for the final time.  Sometimes we do not get to keep our own timetable.  I do not want Tinker to suffer any more no matter how it hurts me to have to let him go before Christmas.  


I guess it is light enough to get the chores done now and check on Tinker again.

It is 6:30 am and still absolutely dark outside.  The stars are shining brightly and there is no sign of rain, no clouds, no wind.  The weatherperson predicted possible rain for us last night with showers more likely today.  We shall see.

I think that Prince has grown back his fighting teeth.  Upon a closer look at Stewie, he has a big chunk out of his ear which was not there before their fight the other night. Not only does he have a piece missing, it also looks like Prince tried to pierce his ear, which is Prince's hallmark.  Tinker has a hole completely through one of his ears that you could hang a tassel in because of fighting Prince.  

I was going to go to Tucson today and look at trailers, however, I have decided to wait awhile before jumping into another purchase by debt.  I can transport alpacas in the back of my SUV, only one at a time, but it can be done.  Also, I don't know if I will have any customers for stud services yet.  

Tinker's jaw is still not healed even after a whole month on antibiotics.  I will have to consult with the vet again, but it looks like he will likely be put down after the holidays.  I do not want to ruin Christmas with the death of my first favorite alpaca on my mind.  I just don't want to think about that now.  Fiddle-de-de!

The hens are laying lots of eggs now.  I have been leaving the heat lamp on in the barn at night.  I think that helps.  I have four 18 egg cartons in the frig that are full and one 12 egg carton full.  I will have to make more room today.  I should put out a sign to sell them at $2/dz, which seems to be the going rate right now.  Steve is also picking up about 5 turkey eggs a week.  I don't go in the turkey pen.  They attack me, so I make Steve go.  In fact Mr. Washington attacked me the other day too so I keep an eye on him and keep the feed bucket between us.  He is a good sized rooster and gorgeous, but those toenails and beak can be painful.  He seems to like to sneak up behind me and attack the back of my legs so if I just don't turn my back I am OK. 

I am hoping to visit another alpaca farm this weekend.  This lady called last week and is interested in using Cimarron, my grey boy with the white face, for stud services for her females.  Cimarron is only 3 years old and is not a proven stud.  Males only just reach breeding age at 3 years so I will have to see how much she is willing to pay to take a chance with him.  I will keep you posted.

Here it is Monday again.  We had a busy weekend, looked at a house and went to a movie with the grandkids.  The house was too small and too expensive.  The movie was fun and exciting.  

Last night while I was in the shower, Steve heard the alpacas fighting.  He went out with the flashlight to see what was happening.  Stewie and Prince were at each other big time.  Running and screaming, Steve could see the blood flowing too.  I went out this morning to feed them and didn't see much.  Prince showed no signs of trauma.  Stewie had faint blood smears on his neck, side and back.  This indicated to me that Prince was the one bleeding.  He probably bit his tongue trying to bite Stewie and smeared his blood everywhere.  I will have to check for fighting teeth sometime when it is light and Steve is home.  It gets dark so early now.

We are thinking of buying a horse trailer to transport alpacas.  It would be a way to put the boys into the breeding cycle and maybe make some money in the alpaca business.  It doesn't look like fleece is going to bring any money in anytime soon.  Steve has Thursday off so we are going to look at trailers that day.  If we get one before the end of the year, it may help with our taxes.  

I plan on getting some more of the Christmas gift wrapping done today.  The laundry is already done and waiting to go out on the line to dry.  It won't take long since we have a brisk breeze and a sunny sky.  

We have gotten several Christmas cards from friends and family but no one has included a letter so far.  Must've been a difficult year for everyone.  Let's hope the holidays are good and that next year is better!