I know, I know, not another Craigslist post!
Yes, another one, but I promise you, this one is dear to my heart and one of the sweetest love stories I’ve experienced in a long time.
Last night, I spotted an ad on Craigslist for a pair of dressers that were gorgeous and had the most unique hardware I had ever seen. I have never heard of ‘Davis Cabinet Company’, but a quick search led me to believe these were some quality dressers. Of course, I posted them to my facebook page, e-mailed the ad to my husband, and pined after them for most of the night. As is my way. I even e-mailed the seller to ask very specific questions.
Here is the only photo of the ad that I could capture before the ad was deleted. Yes, the ad has been deleted and I haven’t even finished begging asking my husband to purchase and pick-up the dressers. I was really smitten with these dressers. Two, sizable, solid wood dressers for only $100!
Look at that hardware!
Here is the same dresser, but in ash, not elm as the one above. I am referring to the five drawer dresser to the left.
(Click the image to be directed to the corresponding website. Hover over the website’s image to see an enlarged photo.)
Now, before we go any further, I must tell you that this post is not about my love affair with these dressers, nor Craigslist. Actually, this post is more about my husband’s unending love and admiration for me. Of course, I feel the same about him – how couldn’t I? After all, he puts up with me and my crazy (or ‘cray cray‘, for those of you playing along at home) ‘Craigslist Lady’ ways. So bear with me whilst I tell this tale.
Long story short (who am I kidding?), I was hoping to convince my husband that we needed these dressers (foyer perhaps? Well, at least one? But why buy one, when you can have two?) and schedule pick-up with the seller for today.
Of course, the weather in Maryland today is a gamble. The forecast is calling for rain/sleet/snow and whatever else could fall from the sky all in one afternoon. My husband has been driving our family car (the Audi A3 and the only car that we own), but decided to take the truck today, as to avoid filling the car’s gas tank yet again. He knew the truck (our only other vehicle) had a full tank, so he opted to leave me with the car for the first day this week. Sounded good to me.
So, no matter my batting of eyelashes, nor begging with a pout-y lip (yes, I have no shame), was going to bring these dressers home to Mama, if the weather wasn’t playing nice.
Well, it didn’t matter anyway. Before I could beg my husband to purchase and pick-up the dressers, the ad was deleted. GONE. I had been stalking the ad all day. Obsessing over every beautiful detail, planning my strategy as it pertained to price, logistics, my husband, decor, etc…, and then it was no more. I can’t tell you how bummed I was. But, no matter, it wasn’t meant to be.
Then, the phone rang. It was my husband. I was sure he was just calling to say, “Hello, how are the kids? How are you? I love you.” You know, the usual (but still appreciated) stuff. Instead, I hear, “Did you get my e-mail?” I hadn’t checked my e-mail, so I hopped onto the computer with my husband on the phone. This is what I found (with necessary redactions/substitutions):
I’m so sorry, honey. I was trying to surprise you with these, but she sold them out from under me. I’m so disappointed, I know you really wanted them.
She told me she had people contact her, but she didn’t say someone else was coming to buy them before me…
I feel like she lead me on, that
b!#@&! 😉Anyway, I’m really sorry. I love you.
Begin forwarded message:From:“craigslist xxxx” <xxxxxx@sale.craigslist.org>
Date:February 22, 2013, 1:16:13 PM EST
To:xxxxxx@reply.craigslist.org
Subject:Re: Dresser Set – $100 (Canton)Sorry Chris, they just sold.
CatherineOn Fri, Feb 22, 2013 at 1:03 PM, Christopher <xxxxxxxx@reply.craigslist.org> wrote:
Hi Catherine. I’m off today at 2:55, and I’m coming from Woodlawn. As long as the weather isn’t crazy, I plan on heading straight there. I’ll call when I’m leaving here. Talk to you soon
Chris
410 xxx xxxx
On Feb 21, 2013, at 9:56 PM, “craigslist xxxx” <xxxx@sale.craigslist.org> wrote:
The address is xxxx YYYYY Street, Suite 000. On the corner of
Cxxxxx and Oxxxxx. It’s a brick highrise, parking for the
storage area is around the back. I’m only 10 minutes away so give me
a call and I’ll meet you there. The price is firm, please cash only.
Looking forward to meeting you, Cell: 443 xxx-xxxx.
Catherine
On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 9:13 PM, Christopher Drumgoole
<xxxxxxxx@reply.craigslist.org> wrote:
I’m off around 2:30 tomorrow, I’ll drive the truck in to work and see if I can come straight there
On Feb 21, 2013, at 8:43 PM, “craigslist xxxx” <xxxxxx@sale.craigslist.org> wrote:
Hi Chris, yes they are still available. Would love to get them sold
tomorrow. I’ve rented a storage room – there is an elevator and easy
access. I just posted them today and have had several folks
interested. The tops of them do have some marks and the feet have
been marked up some. I don’t want you and Christine to be
disappointed. Are you sure you don’t want her to come with you? The
earlier you can come the better tomorrow for me. Email me a time and
I’ll send you the address in Canton and meet you there.
Catherine
On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 5:45 PM, Christopher Drumgoole
<xxxxxxxxx@reply.craigslist.org> wrote:
Hello,
Are the dressers still available? My wife, Christine, emailed me about these and she’s in love with them. If they’re still available, I’ll take them, but I’d like to surprise her with them. I could pick them up tomorrow afternoon, or Saturday. When are you available? Also, where are they located (on a first floor, 2nd floor?) I have a truck and a movers hand cart, and I can usually move furniture on my own, but if I have to maneuver narrow stairwells, I’ll recruit help.
If Christine emails you again,tell her they’re sold 😉
You can email me or call my cell phone tomorrow 410 xxx xxxx
Chris (yes, Chris and Christine, gets confusing in email)
Honestly, I had mixed emotions. I was thrilled that my husband was so sweet. I was irritated that he tried his best with a full heart and was thwarted. Mostly, I was disappointed for him and slightly irritated that the seller hadn’t handled the transaction better. It really seemed as though she was expecting Chris and then changed plans, without due notification.
Sure, I don’t have these lovely dressers, but what I have is worth more than the two dressers – someone whom truly loves me and does the ‘little’ things to try to make me smile. In many ways, I have the nicest dresser of all. He’s solidly built, though I’m not sure if his joints are dove-tailed. His finish appears to be in excellent condition and he has very nice hardware. Let’s just say that his hardware is extremely functional and quite unlikely to be replaced. 😉
In all seriousness, I’d rather have a loving, caring husband, than two, handsome dressers. I’m sure you know my love and appreciation goes deeper than this, but I am trying not to tear up.
I am one lucky girl.
P.S. As soon as I saw that the ad was deleted, I started having a sneaking suspicion that Chris was behind it. He did take the truck to work. He seemed to like the dressers, too. He did smile at me when I put on my girlish charm the night before. So, I sat on the couch, snuggling my daughter, daydreaming about my husband gallantly cruising into our driveway with two, gorgeous dressers in the pick-up truck bed, as though he were showing off his latest hunting victory. (Although, for the record, we are not the hunting kind.) In my version though, I thought the ad was deleted because my husband was the lone recipient. I quickly told myself to stop daydreaming and to think of something else. After all, it was highly unlikely, and that is when the phone rang. Spooky, eh?
P.P.S. I guess I better get into ‘Betty Crocker’ mode before he gets home. I think he deserves a delicious home-cooked meal, don’t you?
