Jeanne-ology: Freezer Trailers
Well, it’s Thursday and I can’t even tell you in a short story about the lives we’ve lived over the past 48 hours. Honestly, I didn’t expect Jeanne to send me a post because we have been working non-stop all day (and night), but she totally surprised me. Enjoy! Rebecca
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Hello Thursday Readers! Another week has passed and one day rolls into another. (Rebecca editing to add: FACTS. When we ship Jelly Jars every day instead of just on Wednesdays, I have no clue what day it is. Whether today was Monday or Thursday doesn’t even matter…I just had a lot to be done today either way.)
The pie shop has been so very, very busy that we seem to meet each other coming and going. It occurred to me that I never get to say the things I need to say to Rebecca or my husband. Time passes quickly and the demand is high this week and next week. We are so focused on accomplishing our goals for pie orders that by the end of the day, I am too tired to talk. All I want to do is sit in silence. Of course, my husband wants to talk about what is happening at the pie shop and all I can do is grunt. I don't blame him for wanting to talk, he has been home alone all day. He knows I am tired and gives me time to unwind. After an hour or so, I can answer any questions about the day. (Rebecca editing to add: The only thing I’ve really said to my mother in the past four days is “I FEEL SUPER STRESSED OUT.” And then I rattle off all the numbers of things we need to do. It’s pretty charming.)
There are a million little things I need to talk to Rebecca about. Not things pertaining to the pie shop, she is great at planning and letting me know what needs to be done in the next week. However, Christmas is fast approaching and I need to know how it is going to pan out. She didn't help me with Christmas ideas for her or the family, so I was left to guessing what I should do about Christmas gifts. Her response to my asking for ideas was to tell me that she or the family didn't need anything and don't buy any presents. Really? That's not what Christmas is about. Giving gifts and enjoying the family events is very precious too me. (Rebecca editing to add: In my defense, she takes my ideas for the kids and makes them her own…leaving me to scramble around for a second set of ideas. And also, all I want for Christmas is to not feel so stressed out that I might shatter if someone so much as raises an eyebrow at me and I have no idea what store she could by that at.)
With two weeks left before Christmas, our shop is stacked with boxes, gift packaging, jelly jars, tarts and pies. Tomorrow we will have a freezer trailer delivered to help with the lack of freezer space that we need. Weighing out cookie dough to fill a whopping amount of cookie orders in the thousands, plus a few thousand tart orders take up a lot of space. Having the tarts stamped and put in the freezer helps speed the baking process. (Rebecca editing to add: OUR OWN FREEZER TRAILER. GAH.)
In two weeks, our shelves will be empty and our hallway cleared of boxes and packaging and most of our food supply will be used up. We will turn off the lights and go home to see Christmas lights, the warmth of being home, and have a sigh of big relief. Maybe that is the greatest Christmas gift we can have. (Rebecca editing to add: When we close at 1 pm on Christmas Eve, I might seriously get on my hands and knees and kiss my own driveway before I go in my house and stay there for three solid days.)
