SOMETHING YOU DON'T SEE EVERYDAY

So...off I go Friday night to feed the critters, howling wind & rain (imagine that), and I really considered not going as I knew they had lots of hay and were fine but I kicked myself in the butt and sick of being soaking wet I drove up. I opened the gate and walked in, all the goats and alpacas were standing by the barn and casually looked up at me and went back to eating. I was wondering where Simon and our new llama Ceara were and then I noticed them standing together, nuzzling each other on the far side of the field. Then I realized something was wrong with Simon's leg and I immediately panicked thinking he had been hit by a branch and had broken his leg. I started across towards them with my heart in my throat, took about 10 steps when Simon's leg walked away from him! I, being the calm person I am, ran back to my car, damn near took out the gate turning around, roared down the hill, threw open the basement door and screamed, "JIM, PHONE, TOWELS, BABY!!!!" A few more frantic phrases and back up the hill, phoning Darcee on the way. She came running up, I picked up this little one and with Darcee hanging on to my sleeve (which still cracks me up) and Momma literally walking on my heels we put them in a stall, closed the gate and proceeded to try and dry off the babe and warm her up. Jim showed up with more towels and nurse Darcee and I did a really good job. It was absolutely overwelming, so totally unexpected. I still haven't had a good sleep since she has shown up because the weather is still just so bad with no end in sight.One hour old

The evening continued. Rose, who actually owns the mom knows all about alpacas & llamas but apparently not about them being pregnant as she was as surprised as we were. We only have had Ceara for 3 weeks and we can keep her if we want to. I thought she would be good company for Simon and she truly is, he is a different animal since she has shown up and he is so good with the little one, not to mention they look a lot alike. I think he's telling the others that he's the dad. The truth is that one of Rose's studs got out some 360 days ago and had his way with Ceara. Now the decision needs to be made if we want to keep them or not...hmmm...farm status...18 hours old

36 hours old, first time out of the stallBeautiful Ceara and her little unnamed baby girl, I just wish all the grandkids could see her.
Now, back up the hill to put her in out of the newest damn storm.

NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS

And pours and pours and pours. Good old November, it really can be ghastly!! It didn't start out too bad. Everything and everyone was well, we even got a new llama by the name if Sierra (the spelling was quickly changed to Ceara), she is actually a buddy for our one llama Simon and if we like her we can keep her. Turns out she is really sweet and after a few rather tense days Simon has really fallen for her.
Now back to the weather, I honestly don't think I've seen rain like it and the winds are insane as well. A friend even had an alpaca killed by a falling tree.Luckily for us the winds never came at a really high tide but regardless we did not fair well. I was happily bragging on Sunday that I had a sewing room again after many years and couldn't wait to get started on a few Christmas items on Monday. Went to Fabricland, went singing into my craft room and splash, splash, splash...not nice! Turned out that our perimeter drains were completely blocked by roots, what a mess. It's only one room but everything had to come out. We had to tear out the underlay and then try to get the carpet dry. It's pretty dry now but it doesn't smell very good so we may end up having to replace it. And the rains are still coming and there is another gale blowing at I type. We were hoping that they had it fixed and all looked well for a couple of days but it's seeping back in again so....so I actually don't know what we do next. There are so many people flooded out in the valley that you can't find anyone to snake the drains until at least mid December so I guess we just pray for some dry weather...unfortunately that is no where in sight... Pictures to follow

You know you're officially a farmer when...

Spooky Simon

Jim's fire, notice the spots of diesel...he'd make a crappy boyscout.

Sue's fire.
In Jim's words, "Crap! You can see it from outspace!"

You know you're officially a farmer when #1 You pee in a stall rather than walk down to the house #2 You spend 4 hours burning brush in your field and love it and #3 You are so excited when you realize you can actually burn alpaca poop and straw.......oh how my life has changed