Second hand Gold.

"One persons Trash is anothers treasure."

Those words have driven millions of Ebay sales, Craigslist Ads, yard and garage sales  and even auctions. Myself, I find it almost imossible to drive past a "Yard Sale" sign... a Habit I apparently picked up from my mother who would spend the days saturdays dragging me with her as she toured the weeks available offerings. I was co-opted as often a strong back was required for some of the various large and bulky items she has gleaned over the years.

Why is this a topic of conversation this morning?

Yesterday evening as I was walking the dog I came across a three piece Lane Sectional sofa sitting beside the dumpster in the apartment complex we live in. Now this apartment complex is primarily college students and twice a year there is a flurry of activity as semester's start and end. In this case apparently the furniture was to big to fit in the pickup truck they had co-opted for the move, so it was left.

No rips, no tears, everything works even the dual recliners. Yep a $1600 sectional left for the trip to the landfill. I am sitting here sipping coffee, feet propped up in comfort as my wife is scratching her head trying to figure how to rearrange the livingroom to have this HUGE couch fit into a living area. (Challenges are good for her).

Like hitting a Mini Jackpot at the casino, sometimes Life just tosses you a bone...

What was your best "Find"?

I was in my favorite watering hole (This was during the advent of "Gray Games" in Oregon) semi-legal games, you really were NOT supposed to be gambling, but the bar (If they knew you, would payoff) and found an 1880 silver dollar, $40 in cash and a nice (Though small) diamond ring.

Ring was worth (at jeweler about $200, Silver dollar $9 and cash went into machine.

Gave ring to a friend and he jokingly said to his GF (Of 2 years and did care about) "If this fits, I'll marry you"

They gave their vows 5 months later..:D

Oh Geez Jimb.. wonderful post, and that feeling of treasured trash falling
right before your feet is amazing, especially free..

Many things i've found, you just can't pass up.. but one story i have has
always stuck in me..

I had my daughter very young, i was only 15.. i struggled tremendously she is my whole life, my angel, my love and a wonderful child to raise
Being so young, and not having the proper support from her father, times
were really rough, a time when i had nothing to eat, i had some flour,
baking powder, baking soda, and some butter so i decided to make some
tortillas, she helped.. we rolled, we kneeded, we flatted them out what looked like maps instead of round tortillas, hard work.. it really was lol
As i was pounding the flour junk into something i could cook, i said out loud
"Lord if i just had a rolling pin".. well i kept on finished up and we had maps
for dinner, my daughter loves this memory too, as i was was cleaning up, took the trash out, walked up to the dumpster, and i'll be darn.. sitting up top in plain view, was a brand new rolling pin.. what are those chances?
And how do you think i felt.. to me it was a miracle, a sign or something that he is listening, you work hard enough for what you need and you shall recieve, and from that day forward everything came a little easier for me.

My best find.. same thing but in an apartment complex, every three months
the dumpsters are full from evictions, people moving or some thing, lots of treasured trash throw away, you name it it's probably there.. well i was walking with my daughter once and she picked up a little moccasin coin purse it was on top of a pile of trash near the dumpster that was over loaded, i said.. eeeek what is that you got? and she handed it to me, i unzipped the little shoe and inside, rolled up was 3 hundred dollar bills..

Yes Jimb, like hitting a mini, and bones be tossin!
Loved your post...