Hyacinth Bucket (pronouced Bouquet) Goes Dumpster Diving

[launderess]

Well here's me running errands in the bitterly cold weather, when what do I spy out the corner of my eye? What one believes is a Hoover Floor Polisher machine in the rubbish up the road from our house. Not having time to investigate nor wishing to be seen going through other people's rubbish in broad daylight, kept my own counsel and dashed off to the shops/errands.

Later on, on my way home, stopped by the building again to take a closer peek. Yes, it was a Hoover floor polisher! So just scooped it up with one quick movement and kept on walking not looking back.

Got the thing home and plugged it in and it WORKS! Needs a bit of cleaning, and the brushes are gross (tons of lint and dust), but with a little cleaning up will work a treat on polishing the front parlor's parquet floors. Finally can stop all that scrubbing and polishing by hand!

Have wanted one of these for quite awhile now, and could kick myself for not have nabbing a pink one seen at a local thirft last summer. Was waiting for prices to come down a bit on eBay before trying there.

Oh lucky me! Now maybe can lend it to Daisy so she can do something with her sitting room. That is if she can move Onslow from in front of the telly.

L.

 

[toggleswitch]

You GO girl!

Now you can prepare for a PROPER candle-light supper!

 

[sudsmaster]

Launderess,

I sincerely hope you were not observed by any people of quality whilst you were perusing the offerings of the refuse bin. If you were so observed, perhaps there may be some consolation in that the refuse originated from respectable, tidy, upper class home or establishment, inhabited or staffed by personages of distinction.

 

[bobbyderegis]

I couldn't care less what Sheridan might think, I've done some of my best treasure trauling at the bottom of many a dumpster!
Bobby in Boston

 

[launderess]

Actually the item was next to the bin,not in it, that was what made the "sweep" so seamless.

Just cleaned up the unit and it shines like new. Brushes got a good washing as well and now are equally clean as well. Just downloaded the manual (Hoover model #F2101) from Hoover's website. Now all one needs is the assorted pads and locking nuts and will be in business. Will try our local vacuum repair tomorrow, if not will call Hoover.

One good thing about living in an upscale area,people are always chucking perfectly good appliances/items simply "because". One day last year, the porters from a building near ours, cleaned out several large bin liners of stuff from an apartment. Well, one would have thought Harrod's just announced a 25% off sale.

Personally like to donate my better cast offs to charity, this way one knows someone will benefit. Craigslist is a god send for this, eBay is becoming a nightmare.

L.

 

[perc-o-prince]

"Richard, mind the trash picker."

"Minding the trash picker, Hyacinth <groan>."

"Oooh, Mr. Whatsit's a trash picker. Do you think it might have been him? I should like to think it was him so Richard could drive 'round and drop me near him."

"Rose, our Hyacinth wouldn't be caught dead near a trash picker. Besides, Bruce is off again, seems to be having a moment of Lady Godiva, and our Violet needs us."

"Oh, fine. And I suppose I'll be picking up after the pony. Did you bring any crisps, Daisy?"

 

[bingwsguy]

Laundress....

That was cute. Please invite all of us to one of your indoor / outdoor luxury barbeques with finger buffet, so we may see your find.

 

[cleanteamofny]

That Bucket lady is going to sing at me........

 

[sudsmaster]

I'm not sure I've ever seen Hyacinth wield so much as a broom and dust pan, let alone a floor polisher. The most they seem to show her doing on TV is to use a feather duster on the bric-a-brac. On the other hand, she never seems to have any hired help to lighten the housekeeping chores. Perhaps she has one of those floor waxing robots? Or perhaps poor Richard does all the honors.

I recall one recently aired show (it seemed to be an early one) where Hyacinth chastized Richard for sweating whilst gardening in the front yard. What a great wit she is.

 

[laundromat]

Excuse me Laundress, but are you telling us that in broad daylight in the freezing cold,you were in the buff????LOL

 

[abcomatic]

Hyacinth Bouquet

Hyacinth, Congrats on the new polisher. What would Mrs. Counselor Nuegent say if she say you out there. Maybe you could get Emett to help you with the floor? ABc o matic

 

[jeb]

rubbish diving

Hyacinth, dear, exactly what is the proper hat to wear to a "rubbish diving"? I am rather suprised you did not do the only truly appropriate thing in this situation- send dear Elizabeth!

 

[tolivac]

I sorta miss living next to a shopping center-LOTS of dumpsters there to paw thru --and the goodies!the drug store dumpster yeilded lots of small appliances --mostly hairdryers-with their cords cut off-replace the cord-and a working hair dryer.Gave most of em away.Sometimes the record store dumpster you would find a few records and posters.same with the video store-got started collecting movie posters that way.And many times you would find useable building materials in others.At this point go "Monday Curb" shopping--the folks here don't throw awy that much thats interesting.Since I work mids-its perfect for curb shopping days when folks set out their trash for pickup.Around here you don't see all that many appliances-if you do-they are far gone.Like last year the plastic GE washer that sat out on the curb for several months before it was picked up-while it was waiting had parts picked off it and its control panel vandalized.Then it got shoved into the woods and lay on its side for awhile.Then was finally gone.In the countryside here there is no established garbage pickup-you have to contract a service to do it.The city or county doesn't do that outside of town or city limits.I take my stuff to the dump myself-sometimes find things there-I have rescued books out of the compactor.They have a "fish stick" just for that.I also got a working Kodak 16mm Movie projector from the dump as well and an Electrolux vacuum.

 

[toggleswitch]

Tornillos y clavos

In my college days (read: grinding poverty)dumster-diving was *de rigeur*

White walls and grey carpet, with black furniture.
All rescued furniture got painted black. (and a couple of screws with a screw-gun for additional stability,as needed).

Voila, instant art-gallery. A couple of repro. lithographs, and some track-lighting............