December already? Oh my!

Why is is that everyone I talk to says they are too busy?  Why do we do this to ourselves?  I say that, because most of the things I do are because of personal choices that I make.  I volunteer to help out in organizations my children are involved in. I serve at church because I want to give back some of what I have openly received myself.  I am involved in outreach because I want to share the love of Christ with others.  And, I organize retreats with a friend of mine, because I want to have fun and... Heck!  We couldn't get anyone else to do it!  Sure, there are other craft retreats out there, but they cost too much for my wimpy budget.  So, a friend and I got together and started planning retreats for our friends that wouldn't break the budget.  If you are interested, check out "Chix Packin' Stix" on Facebook or simply give me a call.  I can give you the low down.








Here's a little re-cap of what has been going on at our farm over the last few months.  My daughter had applied for a competition in FFA for "Small Animal Management Proficiency".  This was regarding her work here on our ranch with the alpacas.  She won our area competition, went on to the district level, and then state. She won at state!  Pretty big deal, to our family!  Then, we received word that she was in the top four at the national level and would need to make a trip to Louisville, KY to interview for the final selection process.
















 


Hailey did very well.  Here is a picture of her receiving her plaque for her outstanding work on her proficiency, along with the current FFA President.  She didn't win, but we were so very, very proud of her!!!  To make it into the top four at the National level is incredible.  Her FFA Advisor, Karen Buechman was a HUGE help in getting all of the photos together, reading the proficiency probably 50 times, and helping with the editing.  Thank you, Mrs. Buechman!!!  Thanks to our friends who watched the event unfold on television or through the internet.  We received a lot of encouragement and support from you!

On a sad note, two of our kitties are gone.  Meow-salini was hit by a car out in front of our neighbors house.  We were devastated.  And, just a few short days later, Fidel-catsro disappeared, never to return.  Usually, that means a coyote got them.  Pretty heart breaking for us.  It is part of living out on property and owning "barn" cats.  It's also part of raising chickens and owning any kind of animal.  Death comes and it is painful.  But better to have loved and have lost, then never to have loved at all.  Still, it really, really hurts.

Then, we received our chicks for our annual FFA competition at the Collin County Show in January.  FIFTY little buggers are in our barn eating and pooping up a storm!  It's hard to believe that in eight short weeks these chicks will weigh on average 10 pounds each!  We are raising them on a Texas natural feed that is Non-GMO and Non-Soy.  Wish us luck!

Last, but not least, we STILL have many alpacas living here with our own alpacas because their owner passed away.  The wife hasn't been out to see them since her husband passed.  We really need to find homes for them.  Another gentleman has called me trying to find homes for his four alpacas, too.  If you know of anyone interested in owning one of these wonderful creatures (their fleece is incredible to have turned into yarn!), please contact me. 

BTW, WE ARE SELLING RAFFLE TICKETS to support ALL of the Plano FFA kids who have projects competing at the Collin County Junior Livestock Show in January!  Please help us support our Plano ISD FFA students!  Check out this link for more information and give us a call.  We'd LOVE to sell you a ticket!


That's it!  I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather!  I know I am!  In fact, I need to make a trip back out to the barn to work some more on the chick coop.  Have a great day!