Dumpster Diving
>> Friday, June 13, 2008
Not exactly, but you'd think so considering my son's reaction to an exciting acquisition the other day.
We were all outside one morning, marveling at how hot it already was. It was garbage pick-up day, and waiting to be picked up, down the street, was one of those blue, molded-plastic pools.
Mary and I thought we should check it out, because Charlotte would LOVE a pool at our house. We figured (correctly) that it was probably in good shape but being discarded just because the family's grandkids were getting older.
I was in my houseshoes (yes, okay, my houseshoes are kind of indoor-outdoor. . .), and told Christopher to go with Mary to investigate. When he was able to catch his breath and acknowledge that I was serious, he said: "We are not the kind of people to go through trash!"
The rest of us looked at each other, looked at him, and replied: "Since when?"
I guess he is going to usher in a new generation that has more class and dignity than his ancestors (and his sibling), but in the meantime, here's what he ended up bringing home:
How awesome is it? Built in slide, and 'big' - five feet round and about a foot deep. This is what a summer vacation looks like for an almost two-year old. . .
It has this one small hole / gash, but I think some duct tape will keep the water in long enough every day for tons of fun.
It will probably be full of water tomorrow even, based on the constant sound of thunder right now. This is an unwelcome rumble tonight, because the 'guys' just finished putting out all the non-waterproof signs for the garage sale in the morning. : (
Maybe 2008 garage-sale shoppers have GPS systems and know exactly where they're going.
I hope so!
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4 comments:
I am not above retrieving something from a neighbor's trash. Like the old saying goes, one man's trash is another mans's treasure. ;-)
I actually laughed just thinking about Christopher's face as you made him take something from someone's trash. Very funny stuff!! However, I do agree Charlotte will love the pool.
We've had our moments of dumpster diving here too. The first couple of times it does feel weird, but then you get over it and really enjoy the treasure you just found for FREE.
Once though, we had given a neighbor my son's beloved tricycle for her granddaughter to use. We did not expect it back or anything once she was done, but did sort of figure she'd pass it on to someone else when she was done with it. When I saw it in her trash pile a year later though, in the dark of the night, my husband went back and got it out of the trash pile. That felt extreamly weird, but I just could not understand why she would so openly put it in the trash pile like that rather than to donate it somewhere-even to goodwill.
It sits under our house until we can find someone else to give it to. If only you were closer, we'd give it to you for your granddaughter.
Muddy, wish you lived closer, too, because Charlotte would love it.
That is odd that your neighbor didn't offer it back to you or donate it. Guess she thought twice-used was enough - WRONG! : )
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