Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I'm a dedicated DIY'er. So when I decided to go looking for landscaping ideas after an appointment in the East Hill district, my ears pricked up and my radar was on full alert when I saw that the residents had put out scads of paint cans and gardening toss-offs along with a melange of perfectly cured junk. It was sitting on the right-of-way in front of their homes, all part of a program I later found out is called
STEP, but right then a program of my own began to form: I'm driving the pickup. I like freebies. A good neighborhood = worthy castoffs. Maybe an involuntary Squee! has escaped my lips but I vow to only get things I
want need. The name for this: The Repurpose Driven Life and I am a charter member.
I began by acquiring some very nice lattice pieces, then
some a lot of pots for flowers, vegetable gardening and seedlings, followed by several perfectly good soaker hoses and a Rubber Maid cart that needed and got a minor repair on a wheel.
Eventually, I got some really good, flat out "stuff." I've been wanting a swinging baby gate for the Bunny Man's room and this one is in pristine condition. Also, this squat little carrier is perfect for transporting him to and from the vet because it keeps him from bouncing around and getting hurt if I have to brake hard, neatly solving a special challenge for us indentured bunneh servants.
I confess to you now, I made two trips. But that's only because I have a pressure washer and I know how to use it. Or maybe I have ORD (Obsessive Repurposing Disorder)? Either way, I saved all of it from going straight to the landfill so in the end no harm, no foul. I do take requests.
Eventually, I got some really good, flat out "stuff." I've been wanting a swinging baby gate for the Bunny Man's room and this one is in pristine condition. Also, this squat little carrier is perfect for transporting him to and from the vet because it keeps him from bouncing around and getting hurt if I have to brake hard, neatly solving a special challenge for us indentured bunneh servants. 
14 comments:
You so scored!!! and I was pleased with myself when I found a blue and white 6 inch flower pot with a charming brushed cloud motif that I put my dish washing sponge and Chore Boy in....Then again you do have a pick up truck. Anyway congrats, we are so impressed!
Thanks, it, was very strange, almost like someone knew my wish list. I even got two sets of casters that I needed. Maybe you should check with your city and county sanitation depts to see if they do something like this. From what I understand, this happens once a month in Pensacola proper and now that we're on staycation every little bit helps so I'm making a new list.
These are the sorts of things that delight me. Once, I found a Tiffany bracelet at the beach. I still talk about it: my one great find.
I know people who love to pick through the curbside junk but I'm not one of them ... I am divesting not acquiring.
You had a very, very good day. I can imagine the contentment you felt that evening with all your treasures tucked in and waiting to be put to use.
Uncanny. And perfectly good soaker hoses? Makes me want to take a drive through the very wealthy city to our west.
Where were you when we had our moving sale a couple of weeks ago? My husband had to take all of the leftovers to some guy's house over by Whiting Field, a good 35 minutes from our place.
That's a good program they've come up with in Pensacola. Santa Rosa County is behind the times when it comes to recycling ideas.
W2W, yeah I missed that one, "stuff" is just a problem, that's why I was really careful about what I got. I left a comment on your blog about your move.
AH, three of them to be exact. I've tried driving aimlessly, I think I need to have PA and Mr V's locater instincts. If I ever scored anything half as good as what they find, I wouldn't know what to do.
BC, it was indeed a very good day. We've started doing a lot of vegetable gardening so it was all appreciated.
JE, I wish I was at the stage.
Margaret, WOW! that would be wonderful. Would love to see a pic of it.
You scored big time. We don't have curbside pickup so we can't go junking in our neighborhood. Love the new bunny.
BF, I didn't think there was any around here either. We put things out all the time, they always disappear, maybe this could be a monthly bonanza...
SCOOOOOOORE! What a haul. I have shutter envy. I sometimes peruse the curbside offerings, but usually its just junk. I may have to start going to better neighborhoods.
Ambitious and ingenious.
guess you know where I weigh in on such matters
You and PA both have that sixth sense for sniffing out gems from other people's throwaways. I'm impressed.
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