Well, the Nightmare is Over

Was planning on a one sentence statement saying that the mattress was gone, but it was like the nightmare that just didn't want to die.  Took some cajoling and pleading on my part, but I finally elicited enough pity from the garbageman to have the dreaded thing picked up.  Here is how my Saturday morning went.

As you know, I was afraid to put the covers on and put the mattresses to the curb overnight for fear that someone might steal them, and this time, I might not be so lucky and get that $100 ticket.  So, on a sleep late Saturday morn, I set the alarm for six, and hubby and I were going to go out, put the covers on, and put the mattresses out to the curb.  Well, instead, son got up at 5:30 and did it for me.  

Son had to go into work early to prepare for the catering of a huge party, so I took my coffee out to the front porch.  I really wasn't happy about being up so early on a Saturday, but I must say, it was actually quite pleasant out there, and I did enjoy that bit of quietude.  Weekend morns can be quite peaceful and serene, even here in Brooklyn, New York.

Finished my coffee and ran quickly into the house to use the bathroom and rinse my cup.  Life was beginning to stir on the streets, so I didn't want to leave the mattresses alone for too long. Still shake my head when I think about having to babysit my garbage.  Is this where the economy has brought us?

Well, I am only inside a few minutes...enough to tinkle and rinse the cup.  I step outside, for a moment, I stand there overcome with shock. In that short time, the truck had passed, and the mattresses, in their covers, were still sitting there. What the heck!!!!  Fortunately, the truck had not gotten very far, so my adrenaline kicked in, and I raced down the block after them.

'What about my mattresses? ' I ask.  'How come they weren't picked up?'

'You have the wrong cover on them,' the handsome young man replied.  'What you have is a regular mattress cover.  You need a bedbug cover.'

Now mind you, a bedbug cover can run up to $100.  Hubby bought one for our new mattress, and they gave him a break, $50.  They don't come cheap....and here I was complaining about $12.  Now I kick it up a gear.  I want to scream out in frustration, but that never works.  Time for a play on  little sympathy here.  After all, there is rain in the forecast and can't have those mattresses sit out in the rain...and I definitely cannot keep buying covers and REFUSE to spend all that money for a bedbug cover which is only going to be chopped up in the garbage truck.

'But they keep stealing the covers.  This was just put on this morning.  That's why I am out here so early on my day off....I am babysitting the garbage.'  A few tears don't hurt, at this point.  'You just don't know what I have been through trying to get rid of these mattresses. I just don't know what to do. I am getting so stressed out; it's making me sick.'

At this point, he chuckles and takes pity on me.  'Stealing them?'  he asks.  I nod 'yes'.  'I'll take them for you.  You don't have bedbugs, do you?'

'Oh, gosh no.  Please don't wish that on me.  And, I am forever grateful for your kindness.'

He signals for the truck to back up.  I breathe a sigh of relief as I watch as the mattresses disappear into the truck.  Nightmare finally over.

I tell hubby that I sure do hope the new mattress is durable because I don't plan on trying to dispose of another mattress any time soon.  The nightmare was over.  Now, I have to find out how to get rid of my old microwave, but I think I will wait a little on that one.  Oh well, it was my choice to live in the city, wasn't it?

Hope you all have a great day.  I've the last of those boring trainings this afternoon.  There is something to celebrate after all.