Friday, February 20, 2009

Well today I got the letter from the unemployment office...approved, whew. My weekly benifits will be a bit more than I expected, but not by much. I'll recieve $315 a week. While thats 300 shy of my usual takehome, it's better than nothing. I talked to the guy with the farm, and he should be ready for me this weekend. I also may have some other work with an old friend and his small handyman business doing a whole basement remodel. I ran into him when I was at my folks yesterday, and he said he was gonna call me for help anyway, he didnt know I was layed off.....perfect timing. It may get a bit awkward since Lisa absolutely hates this guy, but I'll take what I can get now, and she'll just have to buck up and understand.

This Saturday I'm getting some free roosters to butcher, six 6 month old golden comets. I'm getting them from all places, a rescue-rehab facility. I posted an ad on freecycle last week for some freezer burned meat, and she responded. We've talked via email, and she's fine with them going with me and being butchered. I had to make sure I told her up front what the intentions were, and her response was "Chicken is food! Not a problem at all! Hate for them to go to waste! There are too many in one enclosure and they are starting to get aggressive towards each other! ", sooooo.....they'll meet the hatchet this weekend after I pick them up. With these 6 birds, and the meat that Ben brought last weekend, we're set for quite a while in the meat department. Today I also took everything out of both pantries and rearranged it all. Things are better organized now, and set up a little easier for Lisa to get at. Though it was all in order before, there was no specific spot for anything, and things were kinda mixed up. Now the vegetables are with vegetables, soups with soups, etc, and all the things we use the least are on the bottom, so it's less stress on her bad knee. Now that things are arranged better, there's more room in the bottom of both for the buckets.

Speaking of buckets.....yesterday when I was at my folks, mom said she wanted to visit this new antique shop near them. I took her there and looked around, usually laughing. It's typical of me to see something that I want to buy to USE, and it's overpriced because it's old and automatically an "antique". Like 12 bucks for a hand crank mixer, or 10 for a potato ricer, lol. I did see a beautiful old Aladdin lamp for $125 though....oh if only I was working. Anyhoo....back to buckets. On the way out of the store, we drove past a cheese house/deli in the same little complex. Sitting by their back door was a stack of 5 gallon buckets with lids. I parked the car and went to look at them, and they were nice pickle buckets with sealing lids. I went inside and asked about them, and they told me to take all I wanted. I asked about more and they told me they go through about 5-6 a week, and will hold them for me. Woohoo! Now mom has a weekly mission to get my buckets for me, lol. When I get more than I need, I'll see if Farmergeek or anyone else in the homesteading group wants any. I may keep a few around in the garage, but I hate using good buckets like that to haul rabbit poo to the garden, lol. Figures eh? When Lisa just ordered all those buckets....ah well. So today I spent time scrubbing the 5 buckets I got with hot water and baking soda, and tomorrow I'll let them soak a half day in bleach water then scrub them again. I really don't want pickle-flavored bread, hahaha.

10 comments:

ChristyACB said...

Congrats on the bucket score! I never have made one of those great bucket bonuses.

So, is it a place that rescues chickens? I thought those places only let them go as pets....Of course, roosters don't make good pets. :)

FarmerGeek said...

Woo, congrats! Both on the roo's, the buckets, and the side jobs. It is good to know that things are at least not going to complete crud for you.

Extra buckets? Heck's yeah! LOL

Leasmom said...

You seem to be taking the lay-off in stride. I know its hard for you, you can read it in your post, but I know you and Lisa are determined to make it. You scored pretty good with the chickens and the buckets. You'll weather the storm better than most because you were more than anyone else, prepared! I'm proud of you and Lisa!

Anonymous said...

Don't know if this works but I've read putting 3-4 sheets of crumpled up newspaper in the bucket with the lid on will absorb any odd odors. Might be worth a try. Bellen

Chris W said...

I have no idea where she got the roosters, I'm sure I'll find out tomorrow. From what I understand, she rescues and rehabs wild animals (injured maybe) but has taken in small farm animals as well. I'm actually kind of excited to meet her tomorrow and see her place and what she does. Who knows what she may get in the future that me might need...want...ok, have no real use for,lol.

I've never heard that one about the newspaper, I just might have to try that one!
Farmergeek, remember the place I told you to stop for cheese? These buckets came from them. That deli/shop by moms belongs to the same people. Maybe you can check for a deli out your way, but when I get another 10 or so, I'll get some out to ya.
Yea, this layoff has me a bit down, but I'm trying to not let it really get to me. I'm calling that guy with the farm again today and see whats happening there. Lisa took some eggs into work to sell today now that they're all hooked, lol. As I said, as long as we can sell enough to cover feed, it's fine by me. If the side jobs start to pay enough, I'll be getting the big monster diesel from my uncle to drive around again. But since diesel is still high, and that thing only gets 14mpg on its best day, it will be sitting here unless I am working somewhere. Only time will tell....

mmpaints said...

Chris, sounds like yer doing all ya can there, good job on the buckets and chickens.

scoutinlife said...

Grfeat score there Chris! Enjoy some of the time being laid off and catch up on project that you wanted to do.... I wen through it last winter it was tuff but survived my blogging helped alot as well........ Hey when the Buckeye Chicken Fru Happen! LOL Have a great weekend! Look me up if you head down my neck of the wood anytime......

Chris W said...

Exactly what I'm doing scout, catching up on a few things. I just got done hanging a clothesline in the furnace room to help on saving electric, and started a wooden hanging drying rack too. That scrounge job on all these big dowels last year is coming in handy. Plus I just respnded to an ad on freecycle for 2 rooms of Pergo laminate flooring, hopefully it pans out and gives me something to do next week. 1-10x20 cherry and 1-10x20 walnut...hell ya I'll take it for free! Looks like Lisa may finally get a floor in her sewing room!

Chris W said...

Almost forgot..scouninlife, the only time I get down to southern Ohio is to visit a friend in Rayland. That anywhere near you?

ThrtnWmsFam said...

Wow ... for a packrat, you're really organized. That's actually a great combination!

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