Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Ewwwww.... I am now intimately acquainted with this dumpster...

It wasn't how I had planned my day... At no point during my morning did I say to myself, "Why don't I climb into a smelly ole dumpster? It's an extremely hot day and I bet the smells emanating from it would be just yummy..." Nope, nothing like that crossed my mind.

Had a decent morning. Finished quilting Sarah's quilt for our quilt challenge- due next week, during our "retreat." I was thrilled with this little milestone. Called DH Bill up and asked him if he would like me to bring him lunch at work... He said he was finishing up and would I like to meet him? Now doesn't that sound like fun? So.. had a pleasant lunch at Subway- you guys know I am being good with the diet when I mention Subway. At anyrate, Bill goes on his way and I decide to do a little shopping before heading back to quilt another quilt. Oops! I accidentally drop Bill's cell phone into my purse- makes it difficult to call him and let him know that I have his phone... But about an hour later, he calls to say that he is at the bank and that he is closing all 3 of his accounts(business and personal) due to the fact that his briefcase had been stolen while we were having lunch... well, that was a bummer. He had dozens of receipts in that briefcase- and the three checkbooks... I knew there was going to be no living with the man for a while- he just wasn't going to be able to snap out of it. So, I had this bright idea that I would cruise the neighborhood and check all the trash cans and dumpsters. Ok, it was an act of desperation. But what was worthless paperwork to some one else, was invaluable to Bill. And like I said, Bill was not going to be a happy camper... So I went searching through trash cans- the gas station attendant was kinda rude, but I just smiled my goofy grin...Then I notice this dumpster behind some construction trailers... worth a try, I figure. Can you believe that Bill's briefcase was in there? Way down in there, but I could see it. Well, you'll notice there are all kinds of handholds and footholds on the outside the dumpster... Scrambled over pretty fast. Real fast- before the smell of sour milk and sour mash made a weenie out of me. (Sour mash? What they throw out when making something with an alcohol content higher than 89%. Nasty.) Hoisted the case over the side... hmmm... that case weighed a ton, but not so much as I... hoisted myself over the side- touching the inside of the dumpster as little as possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you to whoever invented hand-sanitizer! Too bad I couldn't call Bill and tell him the good news... ring, ring. That would be Bill. I say how I have his briefcase and he says how this really isn't the time to joke around. No really. Think he is going to be a happy camper when I tell him that the check books are right where he left them- only thing missing was a $1 calculator and some pens and pencils. Kind of rekindles your faith in mankind... ok, maybe not, but a big relief. Reopened the accounts- well, they will be in a couple days. Good enough. He insisted I blog about it and wasn't it a coincidence that I had my camera with me? That's me by the dumpster- trying to smile and not breath through my nose at the same time.

22 comments:

Judy said...

All they took was a calculator and some pencils? Why go to all that trouble to steal it? Maybe they thought they were going to get rich or seomthing. I can't believe that you went looking for the thing in dumpsters, I never would have thought about that.

Good for you!

Leah Spencer said...

Wow! I would have never thought to hunt in dumpsters for the briefcase. Smart thinking there Nines!

Melanie said...

What a hero - you are awsome.... lucky guy to have you!!!!
Melanie

Darcie said...

Dumpster diving? Nina! Do you need another job so that you don't have *so much* free time?!

What a lucky, lucky hubby!

Darcie said...

And you're so darn pretty!!! Where is that profile pic of yours???

Sarah said...

Glad to see you have not lost your nuttiness! Only you would go hunting through dumpsters for a stolen briefcase! DO we want to know how Bill said thank you? Maybe in small unmarked bills - good for spending at quilt stores?

I am almost too hyper and excited to get anything useful done - including all the thigs that HAVE to get done before I can leave! You are getting up at the crack of dawn on Monday morning to leave right?

Love you!

Sarah

Quiltgranny said...

Good thing that you had Bill's phone by accident! I'll bet that's what they were going for! And aren't your the pretty smart girl to have found it, AND to be brave enough to go dumpster diving, too!

Tonya Ricucci said...

you are such a cutie. And very intrepid.

Pamela (Peni) Teel said...

So funny. And that little girl by the dumpster surely doesn't look like a 39 (and holding) mother of 8! Dumpster diving may become a new fad! Love you so. Mom

Pamela (Peni) Teel said...

I wonder why crooks throw away things they steal in dumpsters? But, I must admit, I would never have thought of looking there myself. That sure is my girl! I can just see you climbing into that nasty thing.

Have I ever been in one? OH, yes, many times. You see, I had the job of repairing our compactor/trash containers at Sears for many years. We owned them so we fixed them. As you know, the smell is very unique!

I would sometimes have to weld a cracked joint or fix a switch problem or remove compacted trash that tore lose conduit/wiring to switches. I always had a fire extinguisher on stand-by and someone to watch for a fire to develop as I had on a welding helmet with a very dark shade and could not see a fire at all until I removed the helmet, and then it would have been out of control.

What a beautiful girl at the first 39 years!! No wonder Bill keeps you around! What a blessed man!

Papa

teelduo said...

WOW You get the award for Wife of the year!!!!!!!!!!

YankeeQuilter said...

I'm hoping he treated you to a dinner out...after you showered and changed clothes that is!

Good job!

Siobhan

Unknown said...

I'd say dinner at the very least - a trip to the local quilt shop too!

sewprimitive karen said...

Who took the picture of you?? Surely not the grouchy attendant?

Can't believe you found the briefcase.

dot said...

A good wife, PRICELESS!!!!
You are quite a detective.

ForestJane said...

Every time I see your name, Nines, I think of a friend who has a cat named Nine... because she says he's on his ninth life. She found him in a dumpster... :)

Isobel said...

I have my own little dumpster in the kitchen (called a compacter) but I have a method of keeping for from getting too offensive. We use heavy plastic bags (I know, I know, they're not biodegradable but they don't leak as bad) and I put down a layer of newspaper ont he bottom sprinkled with baking soda----really helps. Don't you wish the dumpster folks had thought of that. Hats off to you, Nines.

Carolyn said...

What a great story and what a great wife you are! I would have sent my husband in to get it himself! Love the picture...

Carolyn

Lois R. said...

Way to go! What a smart gal you are to look in the dumpsters! I never would have thought of that.

Geez! You sure don't look 39 to me!

Lois R. said...

Oops! What I mean is that you look a lot younger than 39!

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

Me thinks you've been watching too many crime shows to think of cruising dumpsters for evidence! Too funny! And, lucky score to find the briefcase - all intact. Wow! You get an award for sure.

Cheers!

Evelyn

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh my gosh - that is an amazing story! I can't believe that you even thought about looking there, but that you actually found it! WOW! That is a picture bill should save and tape in the inside of his briefcase for future reminders!!!!