Repurposed

I am writing this post from the same computer that I've used for the past couple of years, but I'm using it from a new position: seated at a desk.  This weekend, Ian helped me pick up a desk that was being discarded from my office and take it back to my apartment.

A few months ago, I noticed that a lot of desk chairs had accumulated in one corner of the warehouse that's near my pseudo photography studio.  I jokingly referred to that part of the warehouse as the "office chair graveyard."  More recently, an unwanted desk, a couple of whiteboards, and a few pieces of abstract art were added to the collection.  I asked about what was going on with all of the stuff and was told that these were items that were no longer needed in the office and were being collected to make it easier to get rid of when a disposal service came to get them.  I was also told that if I wanted anything, I was welcome to it.

This last Friday, I visited the Larsens after work and ended up staying over until Saturday.  I helped Ian do some work to get rid of some cat odors from his carpet and I mentioned offhandedly that I could get a free desk if I arranged the pick-up with someone with a truck.  He immediately asked if I wanted to go pick it up that day.  I was surprised, not at his willingness to help me (as he has proven that several times over already), but I didn't expect him to jump at the chance to help so soon.  The kids were with their mom, so we finished the work on the carpet and drove to the office.

When we arrived, I showed Ian what was available and made it clear that if he wanted anything in the pile, he should take it.  I already knew what I was taking (the one desk and a particular desk chair), but Ian tested out several chairs before finding one with which he was happy.  With the furniture firmly strapped down, we drove to my apartment.

I honestly can't think of a time that I've had a personal desk of my own since high school.  Even if I'm forgetting of some time since then that I was properly desk'd, I certainly haven't had a desk since I was married.  Having a laptop has meant that a desk was a luxury, so I've been doing fine without one.  Still, it feels nice having an official place to sit and do computer stuff in my home.

Second-hand

As you may or may not be aware, every piece of furniture that I own (with the exception of my mattress set) had a previous owner.  Perhaps since I was often the recipient of "hand-me-downs" as a child, doing it as an adult seems natural; or maybe it's just because getting used furniture is better than having no furniture, since that's basically my only other option at this point.

Well, as I was returning home from my run on Saturday, I passed by one of my apartment complex's dumpsters.  Sitting next to it was an end table.  I paused to examine it.  The table was perfectly fine, save for a missing buttress at the base (the table has a single leg that flares out into a cross at the bottom).  The table is made out of solid wood and was remarkably clean.  I decided that it would be a shame to pass it up, so I hefted it onto my shoulder and walked the rest of the way home.

There are opportunities in our lives that are there to bless us, but only if take hold of them.  It may be something as small as a nice new end table or it may be a new job or an opportunity to serve.  While the blessing of a new piece of furniture is not terribly important, it is nice to be reminded that we need to be ready to recognize when we are offered a blessing from the Lord and when we are offered trash.

Making Everything Last

Because of my current state of unemployment, my Bishop suggested that I use the Bishop's Storehouse for some groceries to make my money last a bit longer.  Since I'm no fool, I took him up on the offer.

Now, for those readers that have never used the Bishop's Storehouse, they offer basic food and toiletry items for members in need.  The things that they offer, especially the food, is good quality stuff.  However, you better know how to cook because only a few things are ready to eat, like cereal and peanut butter.  Fortunately, I know how to cook.

Case in point, last night I had my first dinner in quite some time that didn't involve chicken (I'm not complaining that I've been having a lot of chicken, but it is nice to add some variety).  I slow-cooked a beef roast over a bed of sliced potatoes and onions.  In the freezer, for use later on, I have a ham roast and turkey roast (the church likes to provide roasts, apparently).

Prior to utilizing the Bishop's Storehouse, I was doing what I could to cut costs by shopping at particular places and buying as much as I could in advance.  There have been a couple of times when money was tight, but I didn't need to go shopping again because I had stocked up.

I hope this period of unemployment is short-lived, but for now it's nice to know that I'm making what have last as long as possible.

Second Hand

It turns out that I like thrift stores.  For a long time I had a real aversion to used stuff because it reminded me of hand-me-downs, even when I was too tall to wear stuff originally meant for Ian. During the height of my comic book addiction, I went online and bought a bunch of Superman action figures from the early to mid nineties, but all of it had to be mint in box, even though I knew full well that I was planning on opening them up.  However, since I have no stuff right now, getting used stuff on the cheap is really attractive.

The thing about going to thrift stores (there's a Goodwill about ten minutes from my apartment) is that you have to very picky.  There's a lot of junk at these stores, both busted up stuff and stuff that wouldn't be worth getting new.  I did get a couple of nice work shirts recently, but it required a solid ten minutes (per shirt) of going through the racks of shirts.  Some shirts were too worn out, some were out of style, and a lot of them are the wrong size, but if you can find one shirt that's the right size and looks nice, it's worth the time.

Housewares are a little easier in that the items aren't hiding behind each other on clothing racks.  I bought a very nice set of glasses, a few storage containers, and even a rice cooker (for six bucks!).  Again, most of what you see is crap, but if you take just a little be of time, you can find some really useful stuff.

Since moving to Maryland, I've gotten three shirts, one pair of slacks, six glasses, four storage containers, a silverware drawer organizer, a three-cup capacity measuring cup, and the aforementioned rice cooker.  All for less than thirty dollars.

I know that many of my readers have had similar experiences with thrifty store and finding really useful stuff on the cheap, so I'm not convincing you of anything new.  It's still nice to have a to get needed items for the home without breaking the bank.