Two Whirlwind Weeks & An Alpaca Show!

Goodness! I can't hardly believe it's been nearly two weeks since my last post! I am shocked! Actually, I'm not all that surprised when I look at the calendar and see all that's been going on.

Last Friday night, Jon took me to The American Royal PBR Bull riding Finals. Wow, what a time we had! Jon just about choked though when the parking attendant told us it was $10.00 to park! It was always $6.00...what happened?! He was being playful and asked her if there were any discounts available. By her response, I could tell there WERE but she wasn't going to offer up any information so I blurted out..."What about if you just retired from the Air Force after 28 years of service?!" I did not expect it but she shook Jon's hand, said "thank you!" and "go park." She added that there were several empty spots up front and if we drove up this aisle we'd see them. Wow...

Saturday was our monthly "herd health" day and with 10 alpacas of our own and 6 boarders, it took us a while to get through everyone. Everyone that needed it got their nails trimmed and everyone got a shot of Ivomec that needed it (white tailed deer can carry a Meningeal worm that can be deadly for alpacas and Ivomec will help keep them from getting this particular worm). The cria (babies) all got vitamins and their first CD&T immunization. We also weighed the babies, their moms and all of the new boarders. We need to keep an eye on their weights just to be sure everyone is eating as they should and not stressing out over the move too much. Everyone checked out fine.

Sunday was a day of rest. We worked hard physically on Saturday and Jon & I were both SORE on Sunday so we spent a lot of time mowing grass. Jon on the tractor, me on the riding mower. We got a lot done! Jon also got ambitious and built hay feeders for all four shelters! They work great! While he did that, I gathered the things we'll need to take to the Mid-America Alpaca Show this weekend and cleaned out the horse trailer. We'll be camping in the parking lot RV sites at the show with our friends Rhonda and Bill Butler. It's a fun time for all.

I'm getting pretty excited for the show coming up this weekend in Topeka. We'll be showing our 18 month old grey male, Callaway Jaxon, our dark brown 3 year old male Cadbury Suprise, and our little yearling suri male Othello. This will be our first time showing a suri and really hope Othello does well. He's one of our "freebie boys" that were so graciously given to us by good friends in Colorado. Wouldn't it be something if he did well? Cadbury is for sale and we hope to get some interest in him at the show. I just hate to sell him though...his yarns are my most favorite! Oh, so buttery soft it is! I have to keep in mind...this is a business! I admit it's tough though.

So, the past week has been busy getting ready for the show...not just the trailer and our "stuff" to take but making up fliers to pass out, signs for the boys pens, etc. Tonight, I plan to work on some halter training for Cadbury...he's a little rusty.

Wish us luck in shades of blue and lavender!

Until next time!