Our municipality is having a 'large item pick-up' this week, and in preparation every third house has placed piles of old appliances, furniture, etc., by their curb. I know that we live in an age of consumerism, that we're excited by the new and the shiny, but I am appalled to see what people are just throwing out. If I were having a baby, I could easily have outfitted myself with a stroller, high chair, crib, change table, bouncy seats and ride-on toys yesterday. All in good condition, and barely needing a wipe down. If I were furnishing a house I could have picked up antique wood dressers, sofas, chairs, tables....obviously some were things were junk, but a lot of it just needed a lick of paint or a steam-clean. I thought we were having a recession, people?
I drove past all of these things, and then I saw a flash of pink metal. A bike. The girlie needs a new bike. I stopped and got out. The bike was too small, but right beside it there was a wagon. We've almost completely abandoned the stroller, but we've thought that a wagon would be great on day trips to the zoo and such; I just haven't wanted to spend the money. The wagon was in great shape except for one broken wheel. But it was a Little Tikes, and their phone number was right there! Surely I could just order a new one. I stuffed the wagon in my trunk, and took off home, eager to consult the oracle Google.
Let's just say this. Little Tikes can bite me. I won't be purchasing any more of their products if I can help it. They do have a parts department, but it's a joke. They don't want you to fix their products...they want you to dump the massive plastic carcasses in a landfill and buy a new one. I was so disappointed, but Bad was convinced that even if Mommy had failed him, Daddy could fix it. Daddy can fix anything. I told Hubs all about my experiences with the Little Tikes website and "help" line over dinner. "There were a couple other wagons around with missing parts, but they weren't the same kind....I can't believe that you can't even order a wheel from these people!" I lamented.
"Go get the other wagons. The kids and I will meet you in the backyard."
So I went back out garbage picking and my resourceful husband built us a Frankenstein wagon with a Little Tikes body and Step 2 front wheels. I hosed it off and gave it a quick scrub and the kids hauled it to the front for a test drive. It works great, and as Hubs and I sat on the front steps watching our little ones running and laughing, giving each other rides up and down the street, I counted another one of my blessings. I have a talented husband who can fix anything, and he loves me for being a cheap-ass garbage picker. Does it get any better than that?
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12 comments:
Very clever idea to combine a couple of wagons!
Large debris pick-ups make me crazy because I see all the things that could have been donated or at least recycled.
Our city doesn't do the large pick-up days anymore, but back when they did, I picked up many items that are now fixtures in our home. That really sucks about Little Tikes. What a waste to throw out a whole wagon because of one broken wheel. Well done on the repair job!
where I lived in college it was call "Big Trash Day" and it was like a bizarre party. For a week before the actual pickup, you would see everyone out cruising around the city looking for cool stuff in other people's trash. I think that was where I picked up my love of the whole thing. We've found perfect play cars, toddler's playground sets, dressers, desks . . . my mom's dining room table is a huge oak carved beauty that I helped her heave off someone's curb. Don't you just get a thrill out of getting something awesome for free? I LOVE it.
Not a cheap ass garbage picker, just a smart mom who is aware of the environment. Plastic is evil. Plastic also lives in this house.
Good hunting, and even better husband for being so handy!
Very cool. Go you.
We are both terrible garbage pickers. We have picked up lots of stuff from the side of the road to fix up. The best kind of bargain is free!
That is a great story! That's awesome that your hubby was able to put together a wagon for the kids from several broken ones. :)
LOVE the last lines... what could be better?!?
We have tried to be so much more careful about what we buy. When I do the addition in my head of how many of those things end up in the landfill -- eek. I swear, I think watching "Wall-E" really helped.
For things that Goodwill or the shelter won't take (like lawn mowers), we put them out by the road and don't call the garbage people to pick it up -- every single time, someone has nabbed it. Coolness.
you know, i love secondhand things more than I love new things sometimes.
My Mum pulled an old green trike out of the rubbish a few years ago and that Summer all of my kids loved upon it. The twins were only small but my big kids perched them on the seat and wheeled them around and around until it finally broke.
It was the best summer ever.
I would love to go garbage picking! However I live out in the middle of no where and we don't have garbage pick up. Sounds like fun!
Glad your husband is so resourceful! You can tell the Little Tykes people to get over themselves!
Frankenstein wagon! I love it!
oooh if only i lived down this street, i need a project.
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