Ideas and Feeling Blah

     Was cruising the net looking at other people's ideas, projects and inspiration when I got an idea. All week I have been dreading the thought of starting the cemetery fence because I just couldn't seem to picture how to join the parts together seamlessly or without building a half dozen pillars. Cost is a major factor at this point. Since I was already going to be buying PVC pipe for the rails, why not buy two or three of the 2" or 4" pieces and use those for posts? I figure that I can use the strip caulking on the pipe to give it a more column like look, and there are always an abundance of toppers that I can find that would fit quite nicely. Should also make the fencing stand up better also. Just a few pieces of rebar in the ground, slide the column over top then attach the fence.  Now if I can just transfer what is in my mind onto the materials and make it look like what I have envisioned is the real problem.  And to think, got this from looking at the fence around a family plot.
     Progress on the pumpkin head and the candles seems to be at a stand still. I just can't seem to get motivated to finish either one. Not that I will finish the candles anytime soon, there are just tooo many of them to make.  I guess I am just feeling a little lonely lately. Both of the boys work pizza delivery and between school and poker the hubby isn't around much either. Normally I would love the alone time, but for some reason lately I just end up feeling alone. I think part of it is remembering all of the promises of help and not seeing any now.  But that is how it usually goes, Oh Well. Guess I will plug in the old glue gun and get back to work on the candles.

Dang Rain

     The last thing we need here in Tennessee is more rain. Especially when we had made plans to go clear out the fields today. Woke up to thunder, lighting and rain that almost sounded like hail. So we had to call off clearing the field yet again. Just hope we can get it done soon though. Really need to get the corn planted. Plus if it stops raining I can get into the shed and move things around so that I move stuff out of the trailer before we need it for the fireworks tent.

     One good thing came out of the rain though. I got a start on the 200+ candles that need to get made this season. Got 16 cut out so that the battery operated tealights will sit down in them. They need a good sanding before I wire a few of them in bundles, paint and drip the hot glue "wax" down them. I think I will get those knocked out tomorrow so that this weekend I can concentrate on paper macheing the pumpkin head some more. I really want to get it finished this month, but at the rate I am going next year will be more likely. Just need to stop procrastinating. That and really start putting together a show and tell bag for everyone else. Ah well, let's see what tomorrow brings.
     

Let the Panic Attack Begin

     Last night I started to really draft out what we are going to need this year for the corn maze. Blissfully I sat making my notes, sketching out scenes, making lists of supplies, you know just having fun putting the idea to paper.  After a few hours and several lists later I went to bed with visions of scaring teens and adults to tears, quite happy with myself.  I awoke this morning to that dreadful thing called reality. I was perusing my notes from last night and realized that we were basically starting from scratch. Not that we had a whole lot of props last year, but for all of the wonderfully spooky ideas that we have for this year, we are starting from scratch. I started counting PVC pipe candles and came up with over 200. What was I thinking? 200+ candles? 12 tombstones, several PVC pipe bodies, a few Duct Tape Dummies, about 50 feet of cemetery fencing, pillars for the fencing, a fake freezer and not to mention all of the other little props that just add to the scene. And I still haven't finished the first prop's head yet. Oh, and did I mention that the last 2 weeks of June and the first 2 weeks of July I will be working a fireworks tent. And to top it off the field isn't cleared yet for them to plant the corn.  Okay, now that I have gotten that little panic attack out of the way I guess it is time to REALLY get to work. Damn reality check. Makes me freak out every time. I think that I shall start to tackle the 200+ candles now. I at least have six pieces to pipe already cut to get started with.  At least I found my Dremel.

Finally Started

    The first project has been started for the maze this year. I got the first layer of paper mache on the pumpkin frame today and now it is drying. I probably should have avoided putting it on the bottom just yet but I got excited about finally getting some paper on the frame. The youngest and I will be going out to the farm this week to help start clearing out the field and get the general layout done.  I am getting kind of nervous because there are only 147 days until we open for the season. At least costuming won't be as big of a problem as it was last year. We are only going to do 4 scenes with live people in them so those costumes will be pretty easy. There are going to be 4 scenes without actors so that will be even easier. The 4 scenes that won't have actors all of the time will be set up so that if we do have a few extra hands available they can easily fit in to one of them. The kids are starting to get excited also but they are looking more at the party we plan on throwing more than the actual maze. They want to do a pinata of a dead body. One of the boys has already been picked to be the model for it. Look out Lowes and Walmart here we come.
    Time to really get in gear.