Call it recycling

Few people know how frugal I really am at heart. I just love a bargain, but I go crazy for things that are free. I will purposely go out to garage sales late in the day because by that time they are giving things away. I have a talent for looking for great finds that other people have put out on the curb. I have refinished chairs, tables, garden furniture, you name it. I have even been know to jump in dumpsters if I know that there is something really good in there.Vinay can not understand this. He will never pull over and let me get something if he is driving.

Now with Liv I am always on the look out for things for her. You would not believe the good toys people toss because their kids no longer use it. Usually I leave her stuff at my Mom's because Vinay gets mad. "Why don't we just buy her it" he'll exclaim when I tell him of a new treasure I found. He just doesn't understand the trill I get when I pass something on the road that looks of interest. I usually circle around once or twice to try and get a good look at it. Then I'll pull over, inspect it for damage or bugs or anything gross that I don't want to touch and if it passes I shove it in the back of my car, luckily I have an SUV, but even when I had a VW cabriolet, I never let it stop me. Once I get it home I fully inspect the item, and then I get to work. Cleaning it, painting it, whatever it needs to look new.

My latest find was just great. Liv and I were driving home from my Mom's one night Vinay was away. It was a Tuesday, garbage night, so I had my eye out as always. A few blocks up from my Mom's I see a bunch of stuff outside of a house with a for sale sign, Jackpot!!!
Right there behind a snow bank I saw one of those red Fisher Price cars that the kids ride in. I have been thinking about getting one for Liv for the summer. So I turned around and pulled over. I had to climb the snow bank, fit it into the back of my car, which had her stroller and a whole bunch of other crap I never clean out. It barely fit, but I made it. Vinay was away so when Liv went to bed I took the car out and put it in the backyard. I figured I'd clean it up one day when it's nice out.
Well of course a few weeks later Vinay says to me, "Where did you get that little red car?". The smirk on my face gave him the answer. "It has no steering wheel" was his answer. "Well it was being thrown out and it's in decent shape. Why should it just take up space in the landfill. Let's just call it recycling!!!!" Was my response and I haven't heard a word about it since.



Here it is the recycled car, all cleaned up. Liv loved playing outside with it so much I finally brought it in the house one night when she was cranky.
Mommy I love my new pre-owned vehicle.
Who needs a steering wheel anyway, you can just push me around.
Oh no driving while on the cell phone, better get this girl a bluetooth.
Ok so it does need some body work yet, I need to re glue the stickers.
Mom I hope this car isn't a lemon. Let's push it to the nearest service station.