Mitch and I that is. So alike, so different. We go together like peanut butter and jelly. 
Today I went thrifting and on my way out the door saw a set of tables. A round coffee table and matching end table. $15.00 for both. I've wanted a round coffee table so back inside I went and paid the lady. On the short drive home I played the conversation in my mind that would likely take place at home. The converstaion where I ask Mitch to go pick up my purchases with his truck since they wouldn't fit in my car...the grumbling that would ensue... you don't need a coffee table...what are you going to do with the one we have? As I was gearing up to defend myself I pulled into the driveway and looked back towards his garage. The garage he paints and tinkers in. I knew exactly what I would say. He buys things he doesn't need because he sees the potential. He too loves taking something others see as junk and making it beautiful, cars in his case. And when I say something others see as junk, I include myself. You have no vision, no imagination, he says. True. When he brings home a pile of metal that looks like this.
I see rust and missing parts and... junk. Just like when I bring home a pile of thrifted clothes with visions of purses...
He sees... . thrifted clothes. Someone's cast offs. So I knew when he started the grumbling about not needing, and where are we going to put it, I knew what my response would be and it made me smile. "We are one in the same. Your junk is in the form of rusty old cars, mine is in the form of second hand furniture and clothes." How alike we are. How happy it makes us to start with something no one else wants and with a little time and effort have something beautiful. I guess it would be nice to be able to afford to buy new and fancy furniture, I guess it would. I really wouldn't know and likely never will, but somehow I think the feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that comes from doing it myself is much nicer.
This gratitude Friday I'm grateful to be married to someone so like me, only different. I'm grateful for whatever it is that's in me that makes me want to, no need to create and grateful that same need lives inside my best friend.
Sounds like you really complement each other!
Posted by: Danielle | October 20, 2006 at 04:12 PM
Ahhhh... you guys are cool! We have the same fixer-upper drive. Come look around our house- Maybe we could even swap junk! Are you a trash pile lady? Oh, I SO am. Big item pickup day warms my soul. ;)
I can't wait to see the purse that emerges from that top sweater.
Posted by: Alicia A. | October 20, 2006 at 05:20 PM
Isn't it amazing? I look at Matt and I when we got married and I think, "I barely knew him!" at least compared to now. Yet, we are so similar in so many ways that I couldn't have imagined back then. What a blessing. You guys are so blessed!
Posted by: linda | October 20, 2006 at 05:28 PM
Aaron and I are like peas and carrots. He appropriate "hmmm"s and "mmhmmm"s when I talk about crafting and I "uh-huh" and "oh really" when he talks about geometry designs.
Posted by: capello | October 20, 2006 at 05:52 PM
Shopping for new furniture carries it's own high. The problem though, is when you are finished buying it, your finished. When you buy something that you can fix up it has a story to go with it and it makes you proud and happy to share this information with people. (In my case over and over again).
I much prefer the used/fixed up and I'm so glad to see so many people on this blog of crafty people do to!!!
Posted by: Kathie | October 20, 2006 at 05:52 PM
My husband does the same thing. Then I work my magic and all my friends ooooh and ahhh over it.......that's when I look at him with my "I told you so" look. I would have never ended up with my wonderful dining room table had he been with me. I also will say "You're happy with what I have done with the house so far, right?" Then I tell him to shush. I have been dying to paint an old vanity that was his Grandmothers........not sure if I'm gonna get away with this one. :)
Posted by: scraptomylu | October 20, 2006 at 07:42 PM
What a great post! I totally agree about the satisfaction that comes from taking someone else's trash and making it your own treasure. Half the furniture in our apartment was thrifted or found on the street. Part of the other half were hand-me-downs. Things have been painted or slip covered again and again to meet our changing tastes. I love it and wouldn't have it any other way. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Rachel | October 20, 2006 at 08:42 PM
what a sweet post. and what a wonderful revelation!
Posted by: molly | October 21, 2006 at 09:36 AM
beautifully written. I know exactly what you mean. Have a great weekend.
Posted by: monica | October 21, 2006 at 03:04 PM
what a wonderful post! I'm so happy that you have your peanut butter to match the sweet little jam that you are! Sorry I've been away so long, going to head back and read the posts I've missed here. Hope all is well!
Posted by: leanne | October 21, 2006 at 10:50 PM
What a sweet post, Autum! How blessed you both are to have each other.
Posted by: beki | October 21, 2006 at 11:48 PM
You sound like a perfect match! Same but different is the right thing to be, at least I think so.
Hope you`ve had a lovely weekend,
Elisabeth
Posted by: Vintage Wine | October 22, 2006 at 05:01 AM
how nice to hear people.. being happy together..in this hostile world.. I wish you a very happy life together..
Posted by: pinar | October 22, 2006 at 09:59 AM
Yes, making something out of nothing is so gratifying! Last year we had the opportunity to splurge on nice, new furniture and the reality is that it's not nearly as fun to have around as the stuff with the stories. I especially miss my trashpicked iron headboard and my dumpster-found formica dropleaf dining table! How lovely that you found your soulmate in creative repurposing!
Posted by: Bettsi | October 26, 2006 at 12:44 PM