Dumpsters & Road Trips

I have a couple things for you guys this evening. The first is a joke on me. Do you remember the post a couple days ago about the dumpster diver who was arrested because he didn't have an ID? Well, I was rather smugly thinking that I've never done that, and I'm so glad. My hub used to bring home things he found at the curb, and a lot of them were good, useful things, but I hated that he drug things home that the neighbors might recognize. I didn't care that he did it, I just didn't want the neighbors to know! Silly, I know.

Well, yesterday I was on my way home and I glanced over at the side of the road where some of the dumpsters are alongside the highway. Sitting beside the dumpster, where people put things that are sometimes reusable, was a rocking chair. It appeared to be a perfectly good chair, nothing wrong that was visible. So I found a place to turn around and went back to check it out.



I couldn't see anything wrong, except a couple screws were partially out, almost as if the previous owner was saying "This is a problem." They were the screws that attached the seat to the back, so yes, it could be a real problem. But I decided it was worth bringing it home and checking it out.

This morning I removed the two screws, selected two new ones from my stash, put them in, and voilá!!! The chair is stable and looks almost new!!

So, everyone can have a laugh on me, about me! I'm officially a dumpster diver now!!! LOL!!


Secondly .... and I can hardly contain myself here .... I'm taking a road trip on Thursday. Linda is going with me, because (1) she love day trips, and (2) it is going to be a loooong day trip, so I may need someone to help me drive. This road trip is about eight hours each way, so it's gonna be a brute of a day. It will be hot everywhere we travel that day, so it is not going to be an easy day. But Linda and I have fun together, talk up a storm, and laugh a lot, so it will be OK.

Another friend, coworker Janelle is going to come over and sit with my babies while I am gone. That way they will be home, comfortable, able to relax and rest.

So, where am I going? To Mason, TX. Where is Mason, TX, you ask? In the middle of freaking nowhere, TX, that's where!! More specifically it is approximately half way between the Midland-Odessa area and San Antonio. It is a tiny little place, approximately 2200 residents, and looks like a charming little town. It looks like a nice place to visit. Maybe someday I will, but this time I have a different purpose.

I've been watching on line, and on a whim I made a call today. The animal shelter has some Shih Tzus which they've held for over a months, even though they are NOT a no-kill shelter and usually hold dogs just three(!!!!) days. But this lady says she could not bring herself to euthanize these guys. They are rescues from a puppy mill. Some of them have been placed and are doing well, and she has just three left. If I will go pick them up, she will waive the adoption fee, which isn't much anyway, just $20. But she wants to see them have a chance.

There are two adults and one puppy, 6-8 months old. She says they get along well with other dogs in the play area, but they are completely terrified of humans. They are grossly matted, looking like Cousin It, and she hasn't been able to get close enough to even determine if they are males or females. I don't know what I'm getting, but I'm going to get them, one way or another. I had decided that I wanted to rescue some dogs because there are so many that need it, and for whatever reason I was sent to these three. The good part is their comfort with other dogs, and the fact that the other dogs that came out of this deplorable situation have adjusted fairly quickly.

I have to call the lady at the shelter back again tomorrow and confirm everything, then bring them home and begin to socialize them and teach them that there are good humans in the world. I know it is a huge job, but I have no doubt that I can do it. With China and Ali's help I will be able to give some happiness to three little guys, to turn their world around into one of love and respect.

So .... wish me luck. Tomorrow I will have the oil changed in the truck, buy harnesses and leashes for the new babies, and finalize the details. Beginning Thursday, I will need all the luck you can loan me!!