Operation: Treasure Hunt

It was a cold and windy night. (Maybe - it's hard to remember now.) Suddenly, the buzz came across the phone. I had a new message. It was late (after 9:00 that is - funny how kids' bedtimes change your definitions.) Who would be sending me a message at this hour?! It was the near stranger from Charlotte Mommies. Her neighbor had a couch in the driveway and she was trying to move it on to a more indoor locale. The first 3 people that wanted it never arrived. Mysterious. So now it was my turn. Would I make it? Could I do it? I was ready. I was up for a grand adventure. I was ready to hop in the truck and take off across town when I realized - wait, couches are heavy - or at least big. I thought Andy would enjoy a nice surprise so rather than ask him to come along (and the fact that being past the child's bedtime someone would have to be left behind on this trek and it would make a better story if we brought an infant with us) I called one of the gals. Then another gal. Then another gal. Then another gal. They were all up for the adventure, but down for the kids - man. Or should I say woman. I finally realized that if this was going to happen, I might have to live vicariously and send someone in my place. After another call, I gave Andy and our friend Jon the briefing - the rundown if you will - Go to this address. Move around the cul-de-sac one house to the right. Load the couch that is in the driveway. Bring it home. Don't ring the doorbell or talk to anyone. (The people said to just take it - don't wake up the kids - all these sleeping kids!!) So an hour and a half later, after the men had had some man time and gotten a laugh or two out of my previous furniture collecting expeditions, I saw the truck backing up the driveway. What would it be? Was the mission successful? Was the couch in one piece? Did it smell like 4000 cats slept in it? Was it fabulous? I walked out and saw the tailgate was down - a good sign (Andy went on the expedition with a few disclaimers - one being that if he could smell it from the street - he had the power to veto on the spot.) The couch was wonderful! A lovely cream color, covers on the cushions that zip off to be washed (though it didn't really need it,) com-for-ta-ble, and for the price...I mean - who can pass up free?! It came in to the den to complete our theater seating along with the other 3 couches, 4 chairs, and a picnic table. Mission accomplished.



Andy's version: I kept walking thru the den and Stacy was on the phone. She seemed to be planning some sort of covert operation, but I have learned in the last 10 years to leave it alone until she wants you to know. So I carried on about my business. Eventually, she asked me to go get a couch in Pineville with Jon - trying to bribe me with "man time." Whatever. It's easier to just say, "Fine." She told me to go to some address and pick up a couch. I agreed, but only if I got veto power. I was not going to bring something home that smelled (or looked) like that chaise lounge thing she got last. Even she wouldn't take it out of the truck - straight to the dump - and that's saying something coming from the Queen of Treasure Hunting. We got to the neighborhood. At the end of a dark road - no lights on in the cul-de-sac - there was supposedly a couch in a driveway. House 1 - 4 cars, probably no couch. House 2 - nothing. House 3 - a big box. I went for the box. We jumped out of the truck and took a deep breath. Nothing. We loaded up the couch and drove away. Bizarre. I arrived home and she came dancing out to see her new treasure. She seemed pleased. We carried it into the den to put it with the 20 other places that people could sit. Turns out this is one of the better free finds she's had. We moved it into Will's room after a couple days and his loves "his" couch. It's pretty comfy for bedtime stories too.