What is a monkeybox?

When I was a little girl, we had a pet monkey named Amanda. My Dad worked in the produce business, so each night he brought home that days culls in a big box - spotty cucumbers, pithy apples, limp celery, moldy oranges and the like. We called it a monkeybox. It was really just trash, but my Mom would take each piece of fruit and trim it, pare it and cut it up to make a beautiful fruit platter for Amanda. Even though it was deemed trash by one, it still had life left in it and was good for the purpose we needed it. That's how I live my life - thrifting, yard saling, looking for another's trash to be my treasure.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Junkin' Freestyle

I went to the big Spring Clean Up today. The trash collection really isn't until Monday, but everyone sits things out all weekend. And, everyone expects people to take things. I saw two men in different trucks picking up anything metal to salvage as scrap metal. My very best favorite find of the day was entirely comprised of metal, so I am very happy that I happened onto it before the scrappers took it away! It's probably a good thing that I haven't learned to drive DH's truck or I might have been tempted to bring more home than I did. And, I am woreid to hurt or damage Pretty Car, so I try to show restraint.

I saw a set of four neat old wooden highback wing chairs that needed re-upholstering, a nice wicker chair, another set of wicker in pretty sad condition, enough doors and windows to build a house and lots and lots of absolute junk. I did see three cribs that looked brand new. They were the Jeeny Lind type with the spindles, and I know someone could have used them to fashion some cool bench or something out of it, but I can't do it, so I left them in hopes someone will come along and junkreate them or, here's a novel idea, put their baby in one! I don't know why poeple don't Freecycle or Craigslist or at least donate to the Super Cheap thrift up the strret. Instead, they just sit it out by the trash.

What's that? Stop talking trash and show you the junk? Will do.

My first find. A metal holder of some sort. Might have been for milk bottles, papers, I don't know. It's in great condition. I'll probably paint it white, because everyhing looks better white.

These trellises came from the same place as the metal holder. But, it took me three trips to get them all. I grabbed the holder, got up the street and realized I could use the trelis for our Clematis, grabbed one then got down the street again and realized that I could fix the other one, so I swung around the block again and grabbed it. I bet those people were in the house having a big old hoot on my behalf. The window pane came from another house. It's not great, but has potential. I do love old windows. I prefer the ones eith divided panes, but this one looked like it might make a good frame. It's not like you can come back and get it later. Ya's gotta take it when ya see's it!
And, my favorite find! An old man ws literally wheeling this thing to the curb when I drove by. Screeech. Brakes! Sir, can I have that? Actually, he went back in the garage and I grabed it whcich was not an easy task as it weighs an absolute ton. It is heavy, heavy metal, solid metal. I have been wanting one to fill with ivy and Gerbera Daisies forever. Most sales put hefty pricetags on them for that very use. But, this one was gratis! The scrap guys would have loved this one. I went to eight yard sales and bought only five things. Not too bad, right? This cookie jar is glas, but looks like metal graniteware. There's not achip on it and it's in perfect condition. It was only $1.00, and I still can't figure why it was still at the sale on Day Two at 2:00. I guess it ws just waiting for me.
This little dress isn't really a dress. I couldn't figure out what it was, I just knew it was vintage, made of flour sack material and cute as heck not to mention it was only 25¢. Thought I would just buy it and figure it out later. Now that I have it home and have inspected it, I know that it is "The World's Cutest Clothespin Bag." It is darling. It is actually about as big as a 2T dress. Cute!
This Quiet Deluxe typewriter in green was a whole dollar. I know the glas keyed ones sell for big money, I rememered someone selling a green one for big $$, so I took a gamble. At a dollar, it was worth it only if I ever need to chain it to someone and throw them over a bridge. Kidding. Or am I?
This rusty litle folding table was actually purchased yesterday for 50¢. It folds up and you carry it by the two finger holes on the top. I put it in the backyard in between the white metal glider and chair set.

So, how'd I do for $2.75?

11 comments:

  1. Awesome! Love all of your curbside finds. It always feels good rescuing something that would have ended up in the landfill.

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  2. Great curbside stuff, and that little clothespin dress is too cute for words. Loved seeing your finds.

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  3. I wish I could come and visit and see your yard! I bet it is the cutest one on the block, hands down. :) That wheelbarrow is going to be so neat with flowers and ivy trailing out of it. It will look like something out of a magazine!

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  4. Anonymous9:35 PM

    You found some really great stuff here! I love junk picking. I normally head to my hometown in Michigan in the spring just for that very occasion. But this year, after going for two weddings within 3 weeks, I'm hoping to try out Fargo, ND to see how the pickings are there. It's so much closer.

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  5. As usual, you found some great stuff! You are gifted. I'm not sure what is my favorite, but I really like the clothespin dress.

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  6. Anonymous10:07 AM

    wow, what a lot of great stuff! Love the clothes pin bag!

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  7. i was going to say that little dress was a clothespin bag, you just have to put a hangar or little hangar on it!!!

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  8. Love your junk! (Hrrm?) The wheelbarrow is fab...I can see it filled with flowers! What great timing! My mom makes those little clothespin baskets...I dont know if there is a "pattern" but if anyone is interested, let me know and I'll check.

    As a side note, I am a faithful reader of your blog!! I just never take the time to comment. My little one is sleeping peacefully so I am typing frantically while I still can! You are a fantastic writer and I enjoy your posts so much!!

    Annette

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  9. Anonymous6:02 PM

    What fun items! You had a great and thrifty day.

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  10. Wow! Nothing better than free! I Love the wheel barrow! It'll look adorable!

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