More Freezer Trouble, Too Little Cash and Time

So the freezer, the one that was freezing the rain water into solid blocks of ice while outside, was moved inside and now doesn't work.  Yesterday we went and spent $500 for a new one.  It was a scratch and dent model that the lock fell out of when we got it home. Fortunately, it closes just fine and is running.  But with one child in college (commuting from home as well) and 2 in high school and one in middle school we are not in a position to drop $500 on anything.  I guess that just means more homemade gifts for Christmas this year.

I started on the face cloths I am knitting for my girls.  I decided to knit white face cloths and colorful head bands and maybe some slippers for them to do spa nights.  I'll put in some homemade soap and facial stuff.

For the daughter in laws - bracelets.

For the 16 yr old boy, well I just don't know yet.  I am thinking of sewing a little pouch  to go on his belt to hold shells for hunting.  Probably make that for all my boys.  Hubby included.

For the Grand kids, 3 boys and 4 girls ages 5 yrs to 6 mos, I am thinking backpacks with coloring books or doodle pads and crayons in them.    I am not sure what to do for the baby.  I guess just a little blanket.

Since I have to mail a lot of these I am going to need to be busy this next couple of weeks.  I am just hoping I am not biting off too much.  I am also hoping that all of my techs are at work for the next several weeks.  I get exhausted when I have to cover for a tech.  Mostly because I have to do their job and mine.  Plus they work longer shifts than I do normally but if I am covering for them I end up working longer than they do just to get everything done.  It takes me a couple of days to recover.

The first step is going to be clean and organize the house.  That way I can find stuff.  Then onto Project Christmas mode.  That is after we finish cutting up these 2 deer that my hubby got this weekend.  I am thankful for the meat.  I just wish time would stop racing by.

To all my crafting friends, good luck finishing up your projects.

First Weekend of November

It's the first weekend of November and I spent it canning soup.  Our huge chest freezer which has been sitting out on our back deck was full with one huge block of ice.  The lid is warped and there are a few low spot in the rim.  The crux of it was when ever it rained the freezer added a few inches of water.  I couldn't get to any of the meat we had in it.  My husband started thawing it a week ago.  We finally got everything out of it.  We lost about 6# of fish and 15# of chicken.  We also had several pounds of chicken legs that needed cooked right away.  We made soup!  Then after setting up the pressure cookers we bottled it.    So we have added to our food storage or at least salvaged some of our food storage. 

Once again I haven't done much craft wise.  I had an employee walk off the job last Monday night.  So I had to work second shift on Tuesday.  We got a temp trained (mostly) then back to day shift on wednesday.  Had a Seminary inservice meeting on Thursday night so I didn't get to bed until late thursday night.  Friday night I mostly read and slept.  Then canning all week end.  I am tired.  Plus I feel like I am coming down with something.  With all the strange hours and the kids all taking turns having some sort of viral infection that wiped them out, I am due.

I hope to start on some knitted face cloths for my girls.  I am hoping to get a batch of soap made in the next couple of weeks as well.  The girls all want me to make some complexsion soap for them.  With Christmas just a 49 days away and the soap needing to cure for at least 42 days, I will need to hurry and get focused. 

I am just lacking motivation.  I can't seem to get focused on anything.  All I want to do is sleep and read.  I may be a little depressed.  I guess a year is not long enough to get over Mom's death.  I know it's silly but so much of the holiday traditions are tied to my Mom.  I will just have to put more  effort into developing the Holiday spirit.

Here's to next week"s blog being one about projects progressing forward.