Saturday, August 21, 2010

One girl's trash is another girl's treasure.

I did something this week that normally grosses me out... Well, I personally didn't do it, but I sent my husband out to do my dirty work. Can't tell you how many times I've fussed at him over the last five years for picking up "useful things" off the side of the road or from people's trash piles. He's always on the lookout for a free treasure.

Like I said, I'm generally turned off by that particular quality. But two nights ago, I broke my "rule." Driving home from the gym, as people were rolling out their trash bins and such for morning pick up, I spotted this gem:


I've wanted a playhouse for my daughter ever since she was born; however, we've never been able to justify spending a few hundred bucks on a big piece of plastic. As soon as I saw it, I knew it had to come home with me! Knowing that I couldn't load it into our van all by myself, I raced home to send Alec after it.

Of course, it was a moment of shock for him to hear what I was asking. After all the nagging and complaining about his "dumpster diving" adventures, I was now the one sending him after someone else's trash. It still makes me laugh just remembering the scenario.

Once hubby was down the road and spotted the little house, he gave it a quick inspection. It was definitely dirty and all the stickers had been torn off, but there was not a hole, crack, or other defect in the structure itself. To be on the safe side, Alec kindly knocked on the owner's door to officially ask permission to take it off their hands. After a friendly chat, the house was taken apart, loaded, and brought to its new spot in our backyard.

The next morning, our little princess squealed with joy when she saw what had appeared in our backyard over night. Needless to say, she didn't care whether it came from "Toys R Us" or from a neighbor's curb... she was delighted!


And as I'm sure you can imagine, despite a purple roof and pink doors, little brother has enjoyed himself, as well.


What do you guys think?  Have you ever found "treasures" too good to pass up?

Photobucket

5 comments:

tasha said...

That is a sweet score!! I made Theo do that once with an exersaucer right before Luke was born. It was in need of a good cleaning for sure, but perfect shape.

Leslie Rivas said...

Great find!!!

Jordan said...

yay! love that little house, so perfect for them :) Jeff and I had the conversation with Alec the other day (when he brought home that table and chairs) about picking things up from the side of the road/dumpster. We have gotten a leather arm chair (great condition, just a few cat scratches on the arm) from the dumpster when we moved into our first apartment and we still have the chair (it's what alec sits in in Jeff's office,haha) But we have gotten many things from our neighbors curb and other places over the years. As long as it doesn't stink or isn't overly dirty and you can clean it, I think it is ok!

Anonymous said...

You are offically a Klapper!!! lol

Caitlin

Jennifer said...

Jimi is a dumpster diver, too. He has gotten lawn chairs, a computer desk, and a guitar of all things.

The playhouse is adorable. That is a great find!
jennifer