There we were. Driving back to my house after spending a pleasant morning at the local Barnes and Noble/Starbucks (Pumpkin Spice Latte heaven!) with E-man and my In-laws in tow.....and then it happened. My trashy secret went public.
I'm ashamed. ASHAMED!
I have a history of picking up stray pieces of furniture that have been left by the side of the road, unwanted and doomed for the dump, and taking them home. They get a new home, some love in the form of paint or stain and I get a useful piece of furniture for practically nothing. It saves me some green and I'm being green by reusing instead of buying new. Not a bad deal to my way of thinking.
Howevah, the In-laws had never witnessed this process first-hand and were totally unprepared when I hit the brakes, threw the car in reverse and hopped out to start digging through someone's trash! I was, at the time, too tickled with my find to fully take in their confused expressions.
What did I find? 
A solid wood mantle in wonderful condition. It's gonna be fabulous in our living room. I can already see our stockings hanging from it this holiday season. *blissful sigh*
Uh, sorry about the pile of whatnots behind it. I still haven't fully moved into my new little studio room. You know the room that used to house the 70's era hot tub. Don't remember? Let's refresh our memories...
I'll be doin' a before and after of that room in another post....and, yes indeedy, I used lots of very inexpensive things for that room, too!
Now what was I blathering on about before I got sidetracked? Oh, yes. My poor In-laws watching me dig through an unknown person's trash pile. Lovely.
When I finally came out of my euphoria over my free treasure, I was able to fully take in their expressions. After I chuckled, I sheepishly told them of my now not-so-secret habit. To my surprise they laughed along with me and said that it sounded like fun! They even helped me get it safely in the house and tossed around ideas with me about where and how we could hang it on the wall. Bless their hearts.
