Things for Free

Okay, so the first year my sister and I went to the Antique & Collectibles Show, she (my sister) got handed a Bauer bowl for free from a dealer because it had a hairline crack and was not priced. She jokingly asked if it was "Free today" because there was no price and the dealer said "Sure". I was absolutely floored! I could not believe that she was just handed a Bauer bowl for free. Ever since then, that is our standard line when something is not price in a booth, estate sale, garage sale, etc. You just never know.

The list of things that my sister has gotten over the years for free is large. The only ones I can think of right now are her three vehicles. Yes, I wrote THREE! The first one was her first car, a 1969 Chevy Malibu from our Grandfather when he past away too early. I know that she would have given that one back to have Grandpa back. The second one was her current everyday car, a 2000 Toyota Camry from our Grandmother (other side of the family) who decided to stop driving at the age of 93 and my sister was in need of a new car on a teacher's salary. It just made sense for her to get it. The last one was her current "hauling" vehicle. A 1980 Toyota 4x4 from our father. He had been using the vehicle as his everyday driver around his small town. He bought his friend's 1994 Toyota 4x4 (it has A/C) and decided to give the old one to my sister so that she would have something to pick up treasures in and do yard work at her house with. Now I know that for ten years I got to drive new Toyota vehicles for free, but I get the next family hand me down. And it best not be the 1966 Chevy Cab and Chassy Camper from my Grandparents cross country adventures.

Below is her lastest free thing. The day before Thanksgiving, she and I went shopping at some second hand stores and Goodwill. I found a great dresser for my project room and we went around to the pick-up/donations doors of the Goodwill to get it. As we were waitng for help a couple drove up to make a donation and pulled this chandelier from their car. My sister went skipping up to them and offered to buy it rather than have them donate it. The wife said "20 bucks" and the husband said he "had a better idea, they were there to get rid of it, how about free." The wife handed it to my sister and said Merry Christmas. For those of you who may not know (I certainly didn't), this could easily sell in an antique store for $200+!

I swear, the things she gets for free!