Happy Dance-Curb Shopping!

19 years ago

Yesterday my h and I were returning home from a nice afternoon out when I spied a pile of stuff on the curb, waiting for trash pick-up. Stealthily I scoped it out, trying to see through the pouring rain if there was anything of interest to me. I thought I could make out the white edges of a tea cart, but I wasn't sure. I let it slide, figuring I would drive back by w/o my h in a little while. But, being sick, I forgot all about it, until this morning.

So I drove back by a few minutes ago and....PAYDIRT! Not only did I see a white metal teacart (w/ an intricate-design base on both tiers, and in good shape, just needs some rust sanded and a coat of white Rustoleum), but I saw a few white chairs, too! (One of our kitchen chairs is biting the dust, so it is quite a timely find.) Even the seat cushions were the right fabric--red and white checks--although they are wet now. Maybe I can dry them out, since they were not attached very securely, just pull the fabric off and dry it out.

While I was loading the 3 chairs and the tea cart, I also snagged a window box (there are dirt and bulbs still in it, wonder what kind they are?), some very long and wide bamboo blinds, a wooden 2-level stool, and a military box, I can't think of what the correct term is. It's kind of like a steamer trunk.....maybe a foot locker? It's a little beat up but it's good enough to hold some of my gardening stuff, or whatever I decide its use will be.

Hmm....I'm thinking about going back for the playpen. It's a big one, and would be a nice movable composting bin until I decide where to site the permanent one(s).

I may have to go back and see what else is buried under there.... to cheer myself up until my dr's appt and meds are on their way, ya know, lol.

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Comments (11)

barb_bronze
19 years ago
You sure scored big after not getting those pallets! LOL! I can hardly believe the stuff was still there when you went back. I surmized you were in a city. Did you visit the burbs? Or was it a neighborhood where the folks were too snotty to go through each others trash? LOL!

I thought I did well on Saturday picking up a lovely, big bird cage, but you made quite a "haul". Bravo!
alex_z7
Original Author
19 years ago
We were passing through, taking a shortcut through a burb to get back home, and I cannot believe that all that stuff was still there! It must be the rain that kept people away. It's a standard neighborhood, not at all rich or anything. The tea cart was hidden under piles of junk, w/ just a corner peeking through. I am a tea cart nut, though, I can spot 'em a mile away, lol.

Honestly, I am shocked that they didn't drop at least some of the stuff off at any of the nearby donation sites; there was some good stuff there. They were putting the house up for sale and I guess they didn't want to bother.

LOL The snotty neighborhoods are the ones where they won't even put out the trash until after dark the night before pick-up; those people don't things out at the curb, at least not here. They have their cleaning people take it somewhere, don't they? ;)
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kranberri
19 years ago
I was always so embarassed as a kid when my mother would make us get out and grab stuff she saw on the curb...but she sure trained me well as a spotter for trash treasures.
alex_z7
Original Author
19 years ago
My mother wouldn't even go to yard sales when I was a kid, she ranked it up there w/ going through other people's garbage and I inherited that from her. It took a lot of nerve for me to start going to garage sales. I've come a long way that I went through that pile to get the tea cart, footlocker, etc--in broad daylight! lol That was HUGE for me, quite a breakthrough. lol

Now I am addicted to the idea of not paying retail if I can help it. I want to build a table of sorts and am waiting for just the right find.
Eliz33
19 years ago
I love to go through others curb stuff. My hubby used to be military so people were always moving and lotsa good stuff. I got real used to it all. Just very sneaky. LOL I have found some awsome stuff. Great find now I want a tea cart will have to start looking!
Jungle_Jim
19 years ago
Alrighty Then... and Merry Christmas to whoever might be at work and have nothing of importance to do... talk about PAYDIRT... geez... ya'll have found some really cool stuff. Nothing I like better than to find a discarded window box... mine is not to wonder why..I just snag and go...LOLOL..

I was having coffee with my neighbor 2 days ago and her hubby was hanging a ceiling fan in the bedroom. He comes out and says... 'Do you want these? I hate to toss em out. They are dated back to the very early 1920's'... so I slowly looked up and...'OMG... he had two glass shades that hang from chains that attach to a ceiling fixture. They are etched and frosted and gorgeous... I jumped out of my chair and said 'Thank you very much and you can't have them back'... he laughed... so, this morning they got wrapped as gifts for my S/O and will be happily turned into gorgeous bird feeders come the spring... but that's not the best part of it all..

My boss walks in yesterday morning and in her hand is a picture of a 1920 Jacob Doll Upright piano that she has been trying to sell... I looked once...then looked again because the price had changed to 'FREE TO LOVING HOME'..
LOLOLOLOL... Merry Christmas to Me!!!! It's being moved next week. How 'bout that? Merry Christmas...Jim
The Citrus Guy
19 years ago
I am so happy I am not alone going "CURB" shopping. I have found some wonderful things in my days. 2 square garden boxes, soil still in them, a free standing Garden Swing, a little paint, good as new, Pots, I even found a Barbecue grill, it just needed a new gas fitting, which I had on my beat up, old, used up grill. Don't forget folks, Christmas just happened....Keep an eye to the curb!!
Darren
moonwolf23
19 years ago
will do this weekend.
Eliz33
19 years ago
Well I am having fun. They only bummer here is that we don't have bulk pick up. But people still put out the good stuff. I just got my first bagless vacuum (they did not know how to unclog it) I DID! 2 fans , fire place cover, umbrella (was looking for one to grow morning glories up), and a bean bag. I also stopped at someone elses house and got a bunch of plywood that we need for my sisterss mobil home that was flooded and the floors are a mess. I had a load of fun. Love having a place to share my luck! Happy finding all.
signet_gw(6b)
19 years ago
Hi all,

THis is my first time on this forum and I love it. You all sound like my kind of people! Nothing I like better than a freebie. I have joined freecycle and absolutely love it. Have been given a number of wonderful things including a castiron bird cage stand and birdcage, a bar fridge , a 10 gallon aquarium. I have also found some great stuff on the curb. I found the back plate to an old dresser and turned it into a spice rack . An old table leg quite ornate....turned it into an angel for my garden . I read about the umbrella Eliz333 and was wondering..... do you hang the umbrella upside down or righside up and have the morning glories growing over it? Love this idea.!!!!! Anyway love reading about your finds and projects from your finds. Thanks for listening.

Signet
abbidoo
19 years ago
How great is that? Congratulations!

Happy Dance-Curb Shopping!

Comments (11)

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alex_z7
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Happy Dance-Curb Shopping!

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