Jan 25, 2010

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED . . .








Hi Ladies! I write a post on how I think I am going crazy and you defend me! You are so nice! So, because of you, I will skip the "little yellow pill". Thank you for the love you have shown me. It is my time of need and you are right there. Thank you so much.

I have to tell you what I did yesterday. I was on my way to take my Noah to his mother's, when I notice on my block there was, what looked like a vintage secretary on the curb with a "free" sign on it. I had Noah in the car so I could not stop. Besides, who puts a vintage secretary out on the curb? So, I had lunch with my daughter, went shopping for about 2 hours and came back.
Well, there it was, still on the curb, still with the big free sign on it.

So I said to myself, "Self, get out of the car and check this out. It probably is a piece of junk, but you will not sleep unless you look." Being the obedient person that I am, I stopped. There before my eyes was a turn of the century, Tiger Oak, Secretary, in excellent condition. All that was missing was the glass on the door and a piece of mirror. Easy fix!

I was so excited. Now my dilemma. It is 6 houses away. I am alone. Can't leave it, because someone might take it. So brilliant me thinks, Plan A - "I can just zig-zag it home!" It would not zig or zag, too heavy.
Plan B - "I can just put this in the back of my CRV. Just lean it in, no problem!" Took the car seat out and the stroller and the toys, plus the two bins that I had just purchased and somehow put them in the front seat! "I can do this thing!", I said to myself. Yes, once again, I am talking to myself.

I tried to push it toward the back of the car. Nothing, the thing is solid, it would not move. "Take the drawers out Martha! Everyone knows that drawers make a piece heavier." So now the drawers and 4 selves are in the front seat. I barely had room for me. I was on a mission! Tried again, nothing!

A neighbor, who has a bad arm sees me and stops to help me. Two heavy for the both of us. The thing does not move. Neighbor says he will go home and get a screwdriver. Maybe we can take it apart, off he goes.

Then I see a truck with three men coming my way. They were painters. Painters are nice right? Flagged them down and they stopped. I asked them if they could put it in the back of their truck. It is only 6 house away. They said yes! They empted their truck of supplies and filled it with my Secretary. (I did not see the painting supplies in the back.) Now it has arrived in front of my house. I could not asked them to take it in the house. They are strangers. Nice is nice, but God gave me a brain!

Plan C? - Getting secretary into house. I see the gardeners, they were finishing up my yard. I asked them, they say yes! Perfect! Secretary is now in living room. That is as far as I wanted the gardeners to go. (Remember, God gave me a brain.) However, I wanted the secretary in the bedroom, in the back of the house.
Plan D - Neighbor guys next door had just drove up! Yeah! So now the secretary is in the bedroom.
So excited, next problem, I don't like it in the bedroom. I need to show if off! I want it in the living room.

Plan E - Getting secretary back into living room. Just as the Lord would have it, my dear, beloved son, who owes me, gets home with 3 friends. You guessed it, is now back in the living room.

I re-arranged my whole living room and dining room to accommodate the piece. It looks stunning, getting glass and mirror ordered tomorrow. Pictures do not do it justice.

So, the moral of the story is . . . where there is a will, there's a way or don't talk to yourself so much Martha! Either moral is good!

Don't forget my give-way. Information is 2 posts down. Blessings, Martha

21 comments:

Rebecca Nelson said...

Are you kidding me? FREE???

I'm going to go drive around my neighborhood just to SEE if someone is offering something for FREE six doors down.

I've been good. Surely God is smiling down on me too!

SWEET!

Love to you~

Rebecca

My Vintage Treasures said...

WOW!!! What a dream come true!!!
It was meant to be!!!
It is dreamy!!!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

*drool* How gorgeous is that furniture? I fell on the floor slipping on my own drool after looking at those photos!

Score Martha!

Susan said...

Martha, God really, REALLY gave you a treasure yesterday. That piece of furniture is drop dead GORGEOUS. That would be BIG BUCKS in an antique store and we both know that. WOWSERS Martha. You SURE DESERVED that incredible find. You GO girl! Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com

Jules of Whimsicalnotions blog said...

wow thats amazing .The free bit and the getting it home.I have at times done similar but less strenuous things to get stuff from the curb into my cAR .I think maybe its the adrenaline rush us seekers of treaure and bargains get upon a new discovery.

LADY JANE said...

Grin!!!!!!Truly a girl after my own heart...I love your story...hmmmm....lol...I had "picked" a mission oak china cabinet a few years ago...right down the street too...NOPE it was NOT going to fit in my cavalier...so I asked the two BIG (really big) burly fellas that had just hauled it out if they might "keep it" while I TRY to get a bigger vehicle...well...lol...after standing and talking to the two BIG burly guys for quite awhile I tell them...I really need to hurry...coz' if my boyfriend comes by and should see me garbage picking...he will kill me (no...he is NOT BIG and BURLY). So the two BIG burlys really liked me..they said I was just to funny...so YEP they loaded it up in the truck they had...and delivered it right to my door(No...I did mot let the BIG burlys in house) BUT...the BIGGEST BURLY tells me he might have seen the glass shelves for it..in the attic of the garage...a few days later...YEP...sigh...glass shelves...I love BIG BURLY strangers...with trucks! Grin

Unknown said...

Martha, stay where you are, heck, I want to move there. In the trash? Unbelievable! Our Texas trash is really trash, actually the stuff in some of our shows is trash and we are supposed to pay for it. Looks amazing in your house. I have never have that kind of luck, not that it has stopped me from continue to dumpster dive. Enjoy, you deserve it, God knew you will cherised it. Blessings, Marta.

Claudia said...

Wow, Martha, that is quite a story! Good for you - I'm the same way...if I want it, I'll find a way. What an amazing find - free??? Now, that is a good day!

xo
Claudia

GwendolynKay said...

Martha,
I just love this story. Look how many wonderful people God put in your way to help you... angels disquised as painters perhaps?
Blessings!
Gwen

Terri said...

Wooohooooooooo Martha!!!!
That is one funny story with a fab ending!
I wanted one of those since I was a teenager, but never wanted to put out the $1,200 to $2,000 get a good one!
You go girl, listen to your own voice!

Bettyann said...

Martha you are one crazy woman and I love that..wow what a treasure...with that kind of energy they need you in the Senate to solve their problems...

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

Well...that secretary was obviously meant for you to find and somehow transport into your living room! Enjoyed reading your adventure in getting it there! Congrats on such a wonderful curbside find!! Hugs!

Bunnym said...

It takes a village...right? Wow...what a find. Doesn't that make you feel good? Gorgeous Martha...and funny story.

love ya,
bunny

Tara said...

Martha, this is your funniest post EVER! You had me in giggles! What a score for you, the piece is beautiful, someone was definitely smiling down on you sweet lady!

Lisa said...

Oh my! Free is my favorite! I had to laugh. I would soooo redo the whole house to make it fit!! How lucky you are!!! Enjoy!
Hugs, Lisa

Anonymous said...

what a great story...I too have had moments like that..and I end up calling my husband to take an early lunch break...lol..What a Great Find!!! I so enjoy freebies.

All The Best To You,

Evie

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Martha you are hilarious! I was smiling and giggling my way through this post. You get yourself into the most unusual situations but always find a way. I can't believe someone would just throw that beautiful piece out just because the glass is gone. Replacing glass is easy! So glad it was there waiting just for you. Enjoy! Thank God for all those wonderful people he placed in your path to help you with the task. Blessings, Tammy

Draffin Bears said...

Oh Martha... how lucky!
I loved your story and so glad that you got this beautiful piece back to your house.
It looks so lovely, with all your wonderful treasures to display in it.
I am so happy for you ~well done.

I hope that the rest of the week is great
Hugs
Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Just stumbled upon your blog...and I must say I love it, no, actually adore it is a better word! your antiques are lovely...and I will be a follower.
i'm a new blogger myself, please come and have a look, you just might like what you see! if so, then you are welcome to follow me too!
have a wonderful night.

Anonymous said...

by the way, i agree that pink should be a holiday....come see my blog post called 'for the love of all things pink"...i also grabbed your button...which I just might use!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Good gosh, you are one LUCKY gal!!! I'm so happy for you! Hmmm.....methinks that a silver teapot lamp would be pretty on top of that gorgeous new piece!!! (Thanks for the sweet comments on mine, and I would be honored for you to copy me and make one!)

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents