Thursday, June 11, 2009

Another man's trash is sometimes still trash.

Our neighbors moved, and we think considering what was in the pile where our property meets, that the people who rent the house out are remodeling a bit. As a result, there is a huge pile of trash waiting to be taken away when bulky day rolls around. Also as a result, we've had human raccoons hanging out in our alley way for a few days. Now, I recognize picking up what someone has thrown out and making money from it as an honest way to make money, but it's a little uncomfortable to have people you don't know tossing things around next to your driveway.
Our neighbors were very polite and quiet people. They left a tidy pile for the city to pick up. However, as the days or even hours went by after they took off, the pile seemed to get bigger. I now know it's because it's been fluffed up by the "collectors". Jake had to push some things back over the property line and use a stick to fling a bra and thong back on over as well. Ew.
We caught these two on the job. I named them Gumbo and Tootsie.


If you think it's wrong to take pictures of unsuspecting people through a hole in your fence, well, you're probably right. However, I figured it was fair game considering they were sorting on my property line. Plus, I wanted to show you. Jake asked them if they'd just be careful about keeping things in a pile, and they were nice enough to comply. I don't know if anything good was left over considering the all of the others who had already gone through it, but I know they did score big on two broken sinks. And from the looks of the truck bed, they'd been working the neighborhood pretty well. It's an honest way to make money, but I can still be intrigued, right?

After the rain yesterday and last night, it is now a sodden pile of trash/treasure? and bulky day can't come soon enough.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Yikes.

Krista said...

At Nana's old house whenever she didn't want something anymore (regardless of how hideously ruined it was) she would set it out on the curb. It would disappear within hours. But, that was one item. I cannot believe your neighbors left a pile that big to be hauled off. I love that you waited until their was a photogenic couple sorting through to take that picture.

Jen said...

gross and pretty inconsiderate -- I hope the garbage man comes soon!

Kelly said...

Gumbo and Tootsie! I love those names. You guys should use Gumbo for little Cole's middle name instead of Jake. It kind of rolls off the tounge. Cole Gumbo

Rasmussen Forever said...

That's too funny! But I totally know what you are saying. There's a home here, that I promise, has a yard sale EVERY weekend. My mother-in-law and I stopped by there once and I didn't find anything useful. My mother-in-law then looked at me and said "no wonder there's still so much, it's all trash." Oh well, some people think other wise. Good luck til bulk pick up comes.

rosebud said...

When I was an apartment manager on 3rd east and 1st south we had a huge dumpster in the back and I couldn't not STAND it when "dumpster divers" came around... makes you wonder where all that crap on ebay comes from, eh? yuck.

Amber Lee said...

Ewwww. I love that you took a picture through your fence. You should seriously write sitcoms.

rebecca @ older and wisor said...

Saw the name of your blog post on Allie's and had to link....HAHA Especially since I just posted about finally using my free "trash" item (yep, there are a few in my house) HOWEVER, in my defense, I have to actually be able to SEE the item and fall in love - I'm not willing to dig through piles in hopes of scoring something. And yes, there is a difference. At least in my head.

Ranell and Brandon said...

hahaha! What the heck?!? That is too weird. I think I would have sat out and tried charging people to look through all of the junk.

mary said...

Yikes! It's amazing what people will take.

Lori said...

Taking a picture through the fence, Maren you are so funny!

Talbot Family said...

I am shocked that he didn't give you the bra and thong as a gift. I can totally see him putting it on your windshield on his way to work to surprise you. Soo funny!