Question: What brings my favorite eye-roller (AKA Mr. Vintage Soul) over to the dark side of junkin'?
Answer: The lure of a nearly new television set that could replace the rather old one in our bedroom.
At least that was his excuse when he came with me to cruise the curbs in week four of town cleanup. His plan certainly sounded reasonable, considering that a) just a week earlier, one of our neighbors got rid of some not-so-old TVs (we were out of town at the time), and b) this area includes some well-to-do developments.
But all we found were televisions that fell into two categories:
Those even older than the one that we already own. Yeah, sure it works.
And those that were certainly newer but had been visited by the infamous "cord cutter." See the stub?
Mr. VS also learned (the hard way) that there are no do-overs in junkin'. He had a huge (working) TV within his grasp and then he broke the No. 1 rule of junkin': If you see it and you want it, grab it, or you lose it. The homeowner, who was outside doing yardwork (and sweating profusely), said the TV worked but the screen was a little blue, which I guess is a sign that the picture tube is going. So we drove on. A few hours later, Mr VS changed his mind and we headed back to where the TV was. Guess who got there before we did? The cord cutter, or as Mr VS calls him (or her) "the Rhodes scholar who's cutting the cord on a $600 TV for two cents of copper."
Still, we had a good time, junkin' for the fun of it.
We found this
... the world's smallest Spidey costume, which Mr VS will be wearing when he meets up with the Caped? Cord Cutter.
A manatee mailbox. Yep, a manatee mailbox. No, I don't know why.
And a demented plastic bunny bank, which we promptly sunk into the garden to ward off the demented real bunnies from our veggies.
There was time for serious junkin' too and I found several good vintage treasures, which made up for the drought the week before:
Left to right, retro Little Brown Jug metal cooler, which Mr VS has dibs on as a consolation prize for no TV; globe for the garage sale; and a nicely embossed vinyl hatbox.
The best finds were the last finds, on Saturday at dusk. That's where I came upon some vintage Christmas, including
A cute kids NOEL planter (handpainted and marked Japan).
Lots of old Christmas bulbs in a bunch of different colors.
And best of all ... reflectors! Dozens of them! Perfect for decorating a glittered vintage wreath and for giving a few away to my blogging buddies. Leave me a comment by Saturday to be eligible to win. I'll draw two names.
great finds, love the xmas goodies!
Posted by: Jen | April 28, 2009 at 07:14 AM
Its not often that I see stuff on other blogs and think gee, I want to go there. But this trash hunt of yours definitely makes me want to go to your house during trash week. LOL
Posted by: Sarah | April 28, 2009 at 09:56 AM
Our town had a clean up a few years ago but it cost the city hundres of thousands of dollars to deal with the garbage. Wish we'd have another one.
This looks like so much fun. I'm amazed at the cord cutters--why, oh why.
I'd love to enter for the reflector wreath. My mom had a thing for those reflectors, and it has rubbed off on me! =)
Posted by: Jo | April 28, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Darlin' you know I would find a GOOD use for those fab reflectors! You are just too too generous sharing them!~~~I have enjoyed your junking exploits!~~~Keep 'em coming!~~~XXOO, Beth
Posted by: Elizabeth Holcombe | April 28, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Vintage reflectors have eluded me in my thriftng hunts. Thanks for the chance to score a few!
Posted by: Shara | April 28, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Ahhhh...no leaves on the trees. You must live up north where there are basements. Lots of good stuff comes from being lost and forgotten in basements for years. I wish we had basements here!
Posted by: Betty | April 28, 2009 at 05:24 PM
ooooh, nice Christmas stuff, but here's my question, re the manatee mailbox: you people don't have zoning laws? I'd like to see somebody try that in my fair town. That could get you kicked out of the country club for sure.
Posted by: barbara | April 28, 2009 at 05:28 PM
The reflectors were a great, great find! We would have had to battle for those if I was along. I soooo don't understand the cord cutters...really, really boggles my mind, since now the t.v. is pretty much a huge useless piece of junk. Weird...but not as weird as the manatee mailbox - at first I thought it was free at the curb - then I realized it was a mailbox. YIKES.
Posted by: laurie - magpie ethel | April 29, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Wow...I love those reflectors. We never have anything good curbside!
I really don't get those cord cutters...I can't believe they're even making any money!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugz,
Michele
Posted by: Michele | May 01, 2009 at 11:36 AM
A house a few streets over has that exact manatee mailbox! I've often wondered why too...
Anyway, sign me up for those reflectors. I covet all vintage Christmas and can't believe you find it in the garbage! Great finds!
Posted by: Mary | May 01, 2009 at 05:42 PM
that cord cutting thing is crazy! I so wish my town would do this! It's a win-win for everyone! Lucky you!
Posted by: Robin | May 02, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Just wanted to let you know that your past few junkin' posts have had me laughing OUT LOUD! (As well as a little disturbed that we seem to be married to the same man!!)
Thanks for sharing -
Sarah :)
Posted by: Joy For the Journey | May 03, 2009 at 04:37 AM
Those manatee mailboxes are very popular in beach towns, I lived in Ocean County NJ, in a town on Barnegat Bay, just a hop and a skip from the ocean, and you would not believe all the manatee mailboxes. The same manufacturer also makes a dolphin mailbox.
I must admit, it looks out of place anywhere but in a shore area, and doesn't even look so great there.
Posted by: jennifer | August 26, 2009 at 05:45 PM