I'll Take Your Crap, Thank You!

Those that know me know that I have an affinity for junk.  I'm the person that slows down when passing a pile of discarded crap on the side of the road, because you never know what kind of little treasure might be waiting there, disguised as trash.  These are basically the only types of items I like to put in my front yard garden - stuff that can be transformed into something interesting, but nothing of great value that will upset me if it gets stolen or destroyed by the elements.  I've found cement pedestals that have become plant stands and birdbaths, doll beds that have become flower planters, and stairway balusters that have become the bases for bird feeders and houses (and will one day be the body of a dragonfly sculpture, just as soon as I can find some discarded ceiling fan blades to be the wings).

I often find larger treasures such as weathered doors and old shutters that I've not been able to dash off with, simply because I owned a compact car.  Well - I'm delighted to say that is now a thing of the past.  We've finally secured an SUV so that I can pick up whatever damn thing I please.  :-)  I LOVE the new ride.  We were looking for something that we wouldn't mind getting dirty or scratched, and found our perfect match in a friend's busted-up, 2005 Cadillac SRX.  That's right - I'm now the proud owner of a luxury automobile, albeit one that has a big dent on the front passenger side.  I think that makes it even better.  I can ride in my bubble of perfectly controlled climatic bliss while the computer tells me exactly how many more miles I can drive before my next fill-up, AND I can shove a dirty, cobweb-encrusted park bench in the back if I so choose.  The damn thing even beeps if I back up too close to the object I'm about to abscond with.  I'M IN HEAVEN.

It didn't take long to find the first project.  While at a friend's house for a dinner party recently, I noticed his neighbors had just set out a fresh pile of dinged-up furniture.  I've been waiting patiently to snag something to make a potting table of sorts, and I found the perfect specimen in an old, beat-up girlie dresser that was missing a drawer and hardware.  My husband, being consummately accepting of my junk addiction, loaded her up in the back of the Caddy for me (I was wearing a nice dress and carrying a plate of chocolate-covered figs, after all), while my patient and tolerant passengers ate their knees on the way home.

I spent the weekend sprucing her up.  I repaired the drawer runners with some wood glue, sanded her down and gave her a fresh coat of paint.  She also got some new drawer pulls from Home Depot.  The whole thing set me back about $12.  She's now sitting on the front porch, my garden tools safely stashed in her drawers while some of the more attractive pieces show themselves off up top.  I'm pretty happy with how she turned out.

Lemme know if you have any junk you want me to take off your hands, I'll be right over!

Go Happy,
Amy