Monday, September 21, 2009

DISASTER!

This afternoon I had finished my jam, it had cooled, and I had put it away. Then I went to get my kids ready to go to the library... and I heard this incredible crash! I ran outside to see if Logan and Cyan were ok, and it wasn't them......... and so I ran to the garage. Yep. The whole top shelf of my canning shelf had crashed to the ground. Peaches, tomato sauce, peach jelly, canned cherries... all on the floor covered in shards of broken glass. You would not believe the string of curse words that left my garage this afternoon with the broken jars that I had spent so many hours slaving over... but I am sure it was rather amazing. In fact, if someone had had a tape recorder right then, it was probably the stuff of future blackmail.

Most of you have not been reading me since the Domestic Goddess Disaster when my freezer broke and I had to find a way to use about 150lbs of frozen food in a day. But this was worse... by far. I took a picture of the floor carnage... but when I had the camera out I didn't know about the 'on top of the freezer' carnage or the 'behind the freezer' carnage or even the 'behind the canning shelf' carnage... so the pictures really don't do it justice. There were 14 more broken jars in other places. No... the picture does not do it justice at all. (Because, of course, it had to be the TOP two shelves that got taken out. Thanks Murphy.) As it was, it still took two shovels, an industrial shop vac (borrowed from neighbor), and a huge garbage can to clean up the mess. The mop will have to be applied a few times... the floor still sticks to my feet. But that will come tomorrow.

It is one of those things that I will keep finding until I move from this house in 30-odd years. I will find a piece of glass on the back of something clear across the garage and I will laugh and say "Oh! This must be from the year I had the shelf collapse with 25 jars of peaches on it!" and I will laugh.

Let me tell you... I am not laughing today.

I am, however, not freaking out anymore either. Found three more intact jars of peaches behind freezer. And another broken one... but for some reason, having the death count under 30 made me feel better.

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22 comments

Unknown said...

What a bummer!!! All that hard work smashed on the floor must be heart breaking. I guess you have something new on the to do list. Reinforce shelving!

Brooke said...

Oh no! I cant imagine losing all that work. I just found your blog and love it! I am so sorry. that totally sucks

Mary Beth said...

Oh no!! I know from being a new canner how much work goes into each small batch of jars! Seriously, you must be bummed and I do not blame you a bit. Next year I'm sure they won't be on the top shelf again. Take care.

5 orange potatoes said...

Ugh! That's quite painful to see. Oh, and the stickiness must be awful! My heart goes out to you.

lisa

Gardentyme said...

I am new to your blog and have been following you for a few weeks. I have been wanting to comment but just haven't until now. I just canned 36 pints of your roasted tomato sauce today! When I saw your post, my heart sank! I am so sorry, that is such a bummer. All that hard work from the planning to the end result. I hope you are feeling better.. Luckily no one was hurt by falling jars or glass. Tricia

Val in the Rose Garden said...

Thanks guys. I think it ended up being between 22 and 25 jars hit the floor. Alex got another one cleaned up and the seal was broken, but it wasn't damaged. So it is in the fridge. I lost count after the first 20 rings... and decided to just keep shoveling. lol! But considering what it could have been... I am feeling slightly (in an odd, backhanded kind of way) blessed this morning.

Karen said...

Oh no - that's heartbreaking after all that time and energy you have invested.
I'm so sorry.

Katie said...

(((hugs)))

Dina said...

that made me gasp out loud...here at work! I am so sorry Val - what a heartbreaker! *hugs*

Silver Sisters said...

Sounds like you are feeling better about this than many of your readers! I admire your sense of perspective!

Kate said...

I can't imagine the shock of finding that mess. How heartbreaking to see so much time and love end up smashed on the floor. I am so sorry!

Judy said...

OMG - I have that sick feeling in my stomach for you right now. I would have sat down on the floor and cried after I finished cursing. I'll join in on a group hug with Katie and Dina to you.

Staci @ Designing and Motherhood said...

What the ****? That is terrible. I am so sorry. If you live in Utah I would share some of my canning with you.

Val in the Rose Garden said...

Thank you Staci! That is so sweet. I live in WA though... so probably cost prohibitive. ;) I was feeling lucky that it happened before peach season was over, so I can still replace what I lost without much damage. I am guessing that the market guy I bought the peaches from will even have pity on me and give me a good deal. lol! I feel a bit crazy getting all done like that and then having to do more peaches... but whatever. I have reinforced shelving now. :)

Val

Sarah said...

Oh no! I missed reading yesterday, that is awful. All that work you did! I think I would have sat down on the floor and cried too!

Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog said...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Oh, the humanity!!! So sorry to read about this. I called Mark over to look at the photo, and neither one of us could believe it. You must have been in shock. {{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Kiyi Kiyi said...

OH NO!
How awful! I'm crying for you. I know I would be crying if that happened to me!
Well, there is always next year. :)

Kristen said...

I am crying for you

erika~ the inspired mama said...

OH NOOOOO!!! this makes me so sad!! (((hugs)))

oh, and i am sure your kids are so happy that is WASN'T them!!!

xoxo,
erika

Best Wishes, Marie said...

the one and only time that i canned (a labor of love in my first year of marriage)... after i had spent the time driving to pick, etc... he announced he did not like apple pie filling. (it was his mother's recipe). and for some reason he always wants apple pie for thanksgiving, but does not like his mother's recipe. i was done after that with canning. screw that !!! it is a labor of love to do all that and a hassle to clean it all up. these things never happen to lelo !!

You can call me Betty, or Bethany, or Beth ...Just don't call me late for dinner. said...

Oh... i can hardly breathe. What a DRAG!

I don't know if I could ever laugh about a disaster on that scale. 30 years could not heal that wound.

Glad you found my little labels for the remaining goodness!

Brie said...

*gasp* And I thought the freezer disaster was bad...but this definitely tops the "noooo!!!!!!" list!

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